Hemphill County Historical Markers



Anvil Park Ranch, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian drive U.S. 60, north about 2 miles to junction with S.H. 2266, turn right on 2266, marker is about 3.5 miles east

Year Marker Erected: 1967

Marker Text: Begun 1891 by blacksmith J. C. Studer who came from Kansas in 1886. His occupation inspired Anvil brand and name of ranch. Ran only purebred cattle after 1919. Drew top cattle buyers. Spread grew from two sections to 5,000 acres. Famous for annual professional rodeo 1918 to 1941. Attracted top cowboys from throughout nation. Many stars of rodeo world started here. As many as 8,000 visitors viewed 3-day performances. Ranch was sold 1951 to Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission for game breeding purposes. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.



Buffalo Wallow Battle Ground, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian, travel south on U.S. 83, approximately 15.5 miles, turn left onto S.H. 277, continue approximately 7 miles to dirt road, take right turn, continue about 1 mile to marker

Year Marker Erected: 1925

Marker Text: Here on September 12th, 1874, two scouts and four soldiers defeated 125 Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Scouts: William Dixon, Amos Chapman Soldiers: Sergeant Z. T. Woodall, Co. I; Peter Rath, Co. A; John Harrington, Co.H; George W. Smith, Co. M, 6th Cavalry. Stand Silent: Heroes here have been who cleared the way for other men. Erected by Panhandle-Plains Historical Society, September 12th, 1925. This site marked under direction of J. J. Long, Mobeetie, Texas. Mrs. William Dixon, Miami, Texas. (1966)



Bussell, R. Dick

Marker Location: at Courthouse, Main & 5th Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1967

Marker Text: (1845-1935) Famed hunter, in 1870s killed buffalo on this square; was one of the first men to hunt commercially. Came to Texas in 1874. In 1887, helped to survey the townsite here, where he became lifelong resident, operating a livery stable and wagon yard. Is buried in local cemetery. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.



Canadian Hospital, The Former, Canadian

Marker Location: at intersection of 7th & Elsie Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1970

Marker Text: This building, now a residence, was Canadian's first hospital, opened on June 16, 1917. Funds for construction were obtained by public subscriptions. Dr. H. C. Caylor, first owner, sold to Dr. L. V. Dawson in 1920. From 1924 to 1949, Dr. E. H. Morris was owner. A tornado that killed or hurt some 200 to 260 people in the Glazier-Higgins area (10 to 27 miles northeast) on April 9, 1947, dramatized worth of this hospital - the only one in the immediate vicinity. It was closed in 1949. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, 1970.



Canadian River Trail, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian, travel on U.S. 60/83 1 mile north, marker is in roadside park

Year Marker Erected: 1966

Marker Text: Trade, exploration and hunting trails along the Canadian are older than recorded history -old when used 1541 by Spaniard Coronado hunting golden cities of Cibola. Route in 1840 for Josiah Gregg and 34 Missouri men with goods worth $25,000 headed for trade in Santa Fe. Used by 1849 parties escorted by U.S. Army Captain R. B. Marcy on way to California Gold Rush. Hunters, cattlemen, settlers used Canadian River Trails in1870s and 80s, as Panhandle was opened to civilization. River's name,"Canadian," came from Spanish for "boxed-in." (1966)



Church Bell, First, Canadian

Marker Location: Purcell & 6th Street, Canadian at Presbyterian Church

Year Marker Erected: 1967

Marker Text: Bought in 1890 and placed in old Presbyterian Church, used by several faiths. Was first church bell in Canadian, Hemphill County. Congregation held suppers and other projects to repay bank loan on bell. Later bell was moved to new Presbyterian Church and still is used today. (1967)



First Baptist Church of Canadian, Canadian

Marker Location: Main & 7th Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1995

Marker Text: This church was organized by seven women in 1894 with the help of the Rev. Hatcher, a Baptist minister from Amarillo. Shortly thereafter, about 32 people, converted at a local revival held by the Rev. Abe Mulkey, joined the new congregation. Early services and Sunday School classes were held at several area locations until 1911 when a brick sanctuary was completed. The congregation erected a fellowship hall and education building in 1954 and a new sanctuary in 1960. The church has grown with the community and continues to support various outreach and missionary projects. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995.



First National Bank of Canadian, Canadian

Marker Location: 2000 Main Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1970

Marker Text: Successor to first bank in Texas Panhandle: the Traders' Bank at Canadian, organized by Henry Hamburg and Robert Moody on August 1, 1887. In 1892 Moody and D. J. Young, his son-in-law, established the Canadian Valley Bank. The two men converted it into the First National Bank of Canadian in 1903. Moody was an official at all three banks. The present structure was built in 1920. Architect was J. C. Berry. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1970.



Fletcher & Donley Stage Station, Canadian

Marker Location: Site 3 miles northwest

Year Marker Erected: 1970

Marker Text: A rest stop in the 1870s and '80s on military and stage line. Serviced wagon trains, buffalo hide caravans, and cattle herds. Was also mail pick-up station. Former buffalo hunter-scout, Ed Fletcher ran the station. His partners were Jimmie Donley (the head cook) and Tobe Robinson. All had been Indian fighters. Station consisted of a log cabin with a sod roof (where springtime flowers grew) and (2) other buildings. A brush arbor shaded cabin door and a pump stood nearby. First election in the area that became Hemphill County was held here in 1882. (1970)



Hemphill County, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian, travel on US 60, north about 1 mile, marker located at roadside park

Year Marker Erected: 1936

Marker Text: Formed form Young and Bexar territories. Created, August 21, 1876. Organized, July 5, 1886. Named in honor of John Hemphill, 1809-1862. First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Texas. Adjutant General of the Somervell Expedition. Member of the first State Constitutional Convention. Member of the United States Congress. Canadian, the county seat. (1936)



Hemphill County Courthouse, Canadian

Service Dates: 1909-present

Substantial Modifications: Renovated in 1964: metal windows, metal door entry. Elevator installed and jail added in 1982



Hemphill County Jail, Canadian

Marker Location: Courthouse Square, Main & 5th Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1970

Marker Text: Built in 1890, first permanent public building in both town of Canadian and Hemphill County. Erected under administration of E. E. Polly, first county judge. Ironically, deception plagued construction of this jail, as building contracts were found to be fraudulent and citizens took legal action all the way to the Texas Supreme Court (1889). In mid-1920s, jail held outlaws from notorious oil boom town of Borger (65 miles southwest). Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1970.



Hemphill, John, Canadian

Marker Location: at Courthouse, Main & 5th Street, Canadian

Year Marker Erected: 1963

Marker Text: (1803 - 1862) Star and Wreath On the eve of secession U.S. Senator Hemphill set forth to Senate January 1861 Texas right to secede and again became a sovereign nation. Elected delegate provisional Confederate Congress at Montgomery, Alabama which drafted the new nation's constitution, mobilized manpower, set up financial structure, elected political leaders. Died in Richmond, Virginia, Confederate capital. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy erected by the State of Texas 1963.



Historic Cottonwood,
133 Yards East to Site of, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian, drive north on U.S. 60, turn right onto FM 2266, about 12 miles to Lake Marvin, turn left at fork at Lake Marvin entrance, at .7 mile turn to right down dirt road, continue .3 mile to marker site

Year Marker Erected: 1969

Marker Text: A landmark for pioneers on military and stage road nearby, 1870-1890. Over a century old, tree measures 21 feet around. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, 1969.



Historic Trails, Canadian

Marker Location: from Canadian, drive about 6.5 miles south on US 60/83, marker is on west side of divided highway

Year Marker Erected: 1969

Marker Text: During the mass slaughter of buffaloes in the Panhandle, two trails arose to meet the needs of the hunters and their ever-hungry markets. Started about 1876, both moved vast convoys of wagons across the plains. Charles Rath-- transporting gun powder, lead, tobacco, whiskey, and food staples-- blazed a road from Dodge City to the Double Mountains. In two years, however, the best hunting was over and the route fell into disuse. Ed Jones and Joe Plummer forged a trail from Kansas to Fort Elliott. Their route became a freight road and finally a cattle road.



Texas Historical Commission
http://www.thc.state.tx.us/hemphill.html

Texas Historic Sites Atlas - Search Frames Page
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