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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.
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. |
Historical Marker:
SH 207 SW
Spearman
Founded 1917; incorporated
1921. Named for Thomas C. Spearman, a vice-president and head of the
Land Department of the Santa Fe Railway. The Santa Fe line was completed
to Spearman in 1920, making this the first railroad shipping point
in the county. Hansford
County, created 1876 and organized 1889, relocated its county
seat here in 1929. The courthouse was built 1931. Center for agriculture,
wheat storage, ranching, and petroleum industry. Early 1960s growth
included 25 new businesses in two years. Streets paved with brick
make city distinctive.
1967 |
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 |
Historical Marker:
201 Main St.
Brandt Building
This frame commercial
building with decorative sheet metal siding was constructed in 1918.
D. E. Dillow built the structure for the mercantile partnership of
P. M. Maize and his brother-in-law Fred Brandt (c. 1962). Originally,
located in the nearby community of Hansford
(6 miles west), then the county seat, it was moved to this site in
1920. Brandt became sole proprietor of the business nine years later
and continued the operation until the 1950s.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980. |
Main Street,
c. 1942 showing Hale Pharmacy and Lyric Theater
Photo
Courtesy Spearman Chamber of Commerce |
Part of the Buchanan
Windmill Collection near Spearman
Photo Courtesy Spearman Chamber of Commerce |
Historical Marker:
on SH 15/207 about 6 miles from Spearman
Hansford Cemetery
First burial ground
set aside in this county. Earliest grave (1890) was that of Mrs. Alfie
P. Magee, wife of the first sheriff. Also, buried here: the Cator
brothers, founders of Zulu Stockade; and the Wright brothers, early
ranchers. Only official cemetery in county until 1928; is still in
use.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. |
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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Hansford
County 1940s map
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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