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History
in a Pecan Shell
In May 1917, the town was laid out (and a post office opened) in anticipation
of the arrival of the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway. The town was
named for railroad vice president Thomas E. Spearman. Although the
railroad was delayed due to World
War One, the town didn't let that interfere with its growth.
Hansford, Texas
By the time the railroad arrived in late 1919, the town was well on
its way. The town of Hansford, Texas, (6 miles West) lost population
and businesses to Spearman and more importantly, an election (1929)
deciding which town would be the county seat.
All that remains of Hansford today is the cemetery which up until
1928 was the only cemetery in the county.
The former Hansford County Courthouse (1889) in Hansford was built
of brick shipped in from Dodge City, Kansas - the main supply point
for the Northern Panhandle.
Spearman incorporated in 1921 and lost much of its business
district to fires in 1922 and 1924. By 1926 the population was a healthy
1,000 citizens.
In 1931, the railroad extended to Morse and points southwest, ending
Spearman's status as the railroad's terminus. During the Great Depression,
vacant lots in town were planted in wheat.
In 1934, famed aviator Colonel Charles Lindbergh and wife Ann
Morrow stopped just outside of Spearman for fuel on a cross country
trip. Lindbergh, years earlier (1924) had crashed a plane into a hardware
store near Camp
Wood, Texas (Real County) on a cross-country trip before becoming
an air cadet in San
Antonio.
The brief event received a historical
marker that stands today .4 miles South of 13th Ave and SH 207.
Spearman had a population of 1,105 in 1940 and 4,000 in 1964. |
Spearman, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions
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Spearman Attractions
Hansford
County Courthouse
The Windmill
Museum
The Stationmaster's
House Museum
Palo Duro Reservoir
- 10 miles north of Spearman on Palo Duro Creek.
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"The Brandt
Building on Main Street. Built in 1918 as a mercantile in the first
county seat of Hansford, this
building was moved to Spearman at the arrival of the North Texas and
Santa Fe Railway in 1920." - Terry
Jeanson, 2008 photo.
More Texas Ghost Signs |
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Main
Street, c. 1942
showing Hale Pharmacy and Lyric Theater
Photo
Courtesy Spearman Chamber of Commerce |
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Part
of the Buchanan Windmill Collection
near Spearman
Photo Courtesy Spearman Chamber of Commerce |
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Wildlife
near Palo Duro Lake
Photo Courtesy Spearman Chamber of Commerce |
Spearman
Tourists Information
Spearman Chamber
of Commerce: 806-659-5555
PO Box 161 Spearman, Texas 79081
http://www.spearman.org/
We thank Gina Gillispie, Spearman Chamber of Commerce, for sending
us their photos and information.
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Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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