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OLTON,
TEXAS Lamb County,
Texas Panhandle/ West Texas
Highway 70 and FM 168
20 Miles NE of Littlefield
About 25 Miles W of Plainview
Population: 2,288 (2000) 2,116 (1990)
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The 1922 Lamb County Courthouse
in Olton. Torn down in 1964.
1939 photo courtesy of TXDoT |
History in a Pecan
Shell
Olton was the first town in Lamb county and as such became the
first county seat when the county was organized in 1908.
Initial settlement
occured around 1900 on a piece of state land. The C. C. Slaughter ranch occupied
most of surrunding property. Three miles from the present town, one A. B. Powell
opened a store and post office in 1903. The name is said to come from Mr. Powell's
son or a preacher. After several changes in location, the the post office settled
at the home of T. F. Brown on the old Slaughter ranch. The 1910 population was
75 which increased to 300 by 1930 and 782 in 1940.
Throughout the short
history of Lamb County, nearby Littlefield
was vying for the title of county seat. Elections were held in 1929, 1932, 1937
and 1946, when Littlefield
finally won.
In spite of the setback which has historically sent other
towns into oblivion, Olton surprised everyone with growth. By 1960 the town had
nearly 2,000 people. In 1970 there were 78 businesses servicing the needs of 1,782
and the last figure available was the 2000 census figure of 2,288. |
 |
| | Lamb
County Courthouse historical marker, which sits on the corner of the empty lot
where the 1908 and the 1922 courthouses once stood.
Photos Courtesy Terry
Jeanson | |
|
Photographer's
Note:
The city
secretary at the Olton City Hall confirmed what I had read in "Wanted : Historic
County Jails of Texas" by Edward A. Blackburn, Jr. The 1922 courthouse was
remodeled in 1949 and served as a hospital. It was torn down in 1964.
- Terry
Jeanson , March 11, 2007
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Olton,
Texas ForumAnyone
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