Hemphill County Historical Markers
Hogtown, Former Site of
Marker Location: Not located.
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Text: Forerunner of town of Canadian.
Sprang up, 1886, as a tent city for railroad gang working on Southern
Kansas line. Named for poor
appearance-- like a hogpen. After landowner
Sam Polland and railroad disputed price for land,
line moved across river, taking populace with it. (1969)
Howe, Gene, Wildlife Management
Area, Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Text: The Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area contains
approximately 6,000 acres of upland sandhills,
pastures, natural meadows and woodlands fronting the north bank of the Canadian
River. Named for Eugene A. Howe, Amarillo
newspaper publisher, dedicated conservationist and member of the Texas
Game and Fish Commission for more than 19 years, the area was acquired by the
State in 1951. The objectives to develop, through research and demonstration,
better methods of game management which can be applied to major vegetative
types found in the High Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas.
Chief projects on the area involve the white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite
quail and migratory waterfowl. Lesser prairie chickens and ring-necked
pheasants may be found throughout the year and winter brings a wide variety of
visiting shorebirds. To improve wildlife habitat and increase the yield of
natural foods for wildlife, dikes have been constructed to create marshes which
are planted with waterfowl food plants; brush clearing have been made in the
cottonwood thickets and bottomlands to provide suitable feeding areas and game
openings; small grain is sowed for winter feeding of deer and turkey.
Scientific information acquired through work done on this Federal-State
cooperative project is available to surrounding landowners and others who are
interested. Game surpluses produced on the area are harvested periodically by
hunters under a controlled public hunt program. (1963)
Isaacs, Mary B., Canadian
Marker Location: located at Canadian
Middle School,
intersection of Bungalow & 6th
Street, Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: Born in Massachusetts.
Came to Texas, 1888, as Hemphill County's first public school teacher.
Often saw Indians darken the schoolroom windows trying to watch her classes
recite Married Will C. Isaacs in 1892. Founder and guiding spirit of The
Canadian Women's Christian Temperance Union,
an organization she served for 44 years. Under her leadership, W. C. T. U.
building doubled as community center and now houses the city library.
Achievements of this pioneer teacher and civic leader were commemorated in
naming of the Mary
B. Isaacs
Elementary School.
(1967)
Jones Mansion, Canadian
Marker Location: 6th & Main Streets, Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1983
Marker Text: Prominent area rancher Thomas Stanley Jones, a native of Wales,
had this home built in 1910 for his wife, Rosalie (Whaley), and their children.
Designed by Amarillo
architect E. Wellington,
it was the first brick residence constructed in Canadian. Reflecting its
builder's prominence in the town, the classical revival mansion features
monumental Ionic columns, red brick corner quoins, and renaissance detailing. Recorded Texas Landmark Landmark, 1983.
Lyman's Wagon Train Battle, Site of,
Canadian
Marker Location: from Canadian, travel south on US 60/83 approximately
7 miles, turn east on SH 33 and go about 10 miles - marker is on south side of
road
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: During the U.S. Army campaigns in 1874 against marauding
Indians, Captain Wyllys Lyman led a wagon train to
Camp Supply, Oklahoma, for rations for General Nelson A. Miles' troops on duty
in Texas. On the way, Indians attacked, and the longest Indian battle in
Panhandle history ensued. Fighting from a wagon corral September 9 to 14, Lyman
and 95 soldiers held off about 400 Comanche and Kiowa Indians. A scout escaped
and reached Camp
Supply
for help. Company K, 6th Cavalry, traveled 80 miles without rest in a raging
rainstorm to aid the wagon train. On its arrival, the Indians fled. (1967)
Marcy Trail, Route of, Canadian
Marker Location: from Canadian, drive on US 60, south about 8 miles,
marker is on west side of the highway
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Text: This overland route, blazed in 1849 by energetic and
efficient Army Captain R. B. Marcy, was best known as part of the California
Gold Trail. Starting in Oklahoma,
Marcy led an expedition across the Texas
Panhandle and back through central West Texas.
Both of the wagon roads he laid out served the emigrant traffic. In 1853, this
section was planned as part of the route for the first transcontinental
railroad in America,
but the Civil War shifted sentiment to northern routes. Its importance declined
after the railroad came through this county, 1887. (1969)
McGee, Tom T., Canadian
Marker Location: Canadian
Cemetery,
located in the east section -Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: (Sept. 13, 1849 - Nov. 24, 1894) Came to Canadian about
1884. Was foreman on Po
Ranch prior to election as first sheriff of Hemphill
County,
1887 - year city of Canadian was founded. Nov. 23,
1894, in gun fight with (6) men attacking large shipment of money at Wells,
Fargo & Company, he was mortally wounded, and he died the next day. His
widow went to England
as a volunteer civilian worker in World War I; died there. Ashes were returned
here for burial. Recorded, 1967
Miles Expedition, General Nelson
Miles' Headquarters Dugout, Canadian
Marker Location: US 83, just north of Washita River
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: Indian raids brought Miles' men to Texas from North in
1874 as part of U.S. Army pincer's tactic operating from a dugout post. The 12
Infantry and cavalry units had supply camps on the Canadian, Red and Washita
rivers. On November
8, 1874, Miles' troops recovered three captive
German sisters; fought 8 Indian battles during winter. At this post General
Miles nominated for Medal of Honor several of his men -- among them renowned Panhandle settler, Billy Dixon. In 1875, Fort
Elliott
was opened at Old Mobeetie to continue frontier
protection. (1967)
Military
Road, Old, Canadian
Marker Location: from Canadian, drive US 60, north about 3 miles, turn
east on FM 2266, marker is located about 12 miles east at entrance to Black
Kettle National Grassland Campground
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Text: (1874 - 1890) One of earliest known Texas
Panhandle trails. Flint-pierced mastodon bones show prehistoric men trailed
this valley before Indians were here. In 1875, U.S.
Army came this way to Fort
Elliott,
at Mobeetie (30 miles, southwest). Mail routes and
stagecoaches used this trail, 1878-1890. (1969)
Moody Hotel, Canadian
Marker Location: insection of Main
& 2nd Streets -Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Text: In 1910 Canadian was a thriving railroad and marketing
center with a Baptist
Academy.
English-born Robert Moody (1838-1915), a rancher, banker and trustee of the
academy, decided to build a hotel that would reflect the town's prosperity. On
the site of the former McIntosh Hotel, he began construction of this brick
veneered building. The 3-story facility opened in late 1910 with 40 guest rooms
and a beautiful oak stairway. The Moody Hotel became a local landmark and a
popular stop for visitors until changing travel customs caused it to close.
(1978)
A rest stop in the 1870s and 80s
Marker Location: Located 21 & 8/10 mile SE of Canadian on US 277.
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.
River Valley Pioneer Museum, Canadian
Mailing Address: P O Box
1201
City: Canadian
Zip code: 79014
Street Address: 118 N 2nd
Area Code: 806
Phone: 323-6548
Email Address: rvmuseum@arn.net
Types of
Exhibits/Collections: Art, Natural History, Archeology, Photos, Historical,
Local/Pioneer History
Educational Programs: Guided Tours, Self-guided tours, Traveling
Trunks, Hands-on Activities for Children, Demonstrations, Intrepretive
Drama, School/Museum Cooperative Curriculum, Special Programs/Accomodations for Disabled Visitors
Springer's Road Ranch, Site of Old,
Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: First post office in Hemphill County. Unique
for tunnel from dugout home-store to corral. On 1870's trail from Fort
Elliott (35 miles, southwest) to Fort Supply, Indian Territory, to Fort Dodge,
Kansas. Established by A. G. Springer; besides running 300 head of cattle,
Springer's was a stagecoach stand, tavern; store (mainly for teamster, hunters)
had liquor, canned goods, hunting equipment. Poker-expert Springer was frequent
host to soldiers seeking entertainment in tavern. In 1877, he and Tom
Ledbetter, his partner, were killed in gun battle with angered soldiers and
were buried at the ranch. (1967)
W. C. T. U. Building, Canadian
Marker Location: 500 Main
Street, Canadian
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Text: Only structure in the nation built, owned and still operated
by a local chapter of Women's Christian Temperance Union.
Built 1911, with financing and upkeep from annual bazaars held since 1906.
Also, used by public library and civic groups. Determined to abolish liquor by
local option election, the chapter organized in 1902. Won
first election a year later. Meetings have been held every Wednesday
since founding. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965
Wood, Sam, Cabin, Canyon
Marker Location: located at Panhandle-Plains Museum, in Canyon, Randall
County
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Text: Sam Wood cabin built in 1887 at Hog Town (now a ghost
town). Wood, an Indian Scout, Union veteran of Civil War, buffalo hunter, was
father of bride in first marriage recorded in the Panhandle, at Fort
Elliott
in 1877. Cabin housed (6) families during an Indian scare,
in 1954 it was moved, restored. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966.
Young, Robert R., Canadian
Marker Location: from Canadian, drive on US 60 about 1 mile north,
marker is in roadside park
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Text: (February 14, 1897 - January 25, 1958) A leader in America's
finance and transportation. Born here, in house built by lawyer Temple
Houston,
son of Republic
of Texas President Sam Houston.
His grandfather was traildriver, pioneer rancher; his
father, president of the first bank in Canadian. Educated at Old
Canadian Academy,
Culver
Military Academy
(where he won highest honors), University of Virginia.
Married, 1916, Anita O'Keeffe, sister of the famous painter
Georgia O'Keeffe. Had a daughter. One of close
friends was King Edward VIII of England.
Assistant to treasurer of General Motors, 1920s. Made fortune in stock market in 1929. After years on Wall
Street, won acclaim of financial world in a proxy battle to gain control of and
modernize New York
Central Railroad. In this fight, enlisted aid of Texas friends Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson.
Until 1939, retained banking interests in Canadian. Was a lifelong member of
Presbyterian church here. Remembered
native state with gifts of rare papers to University of Texas. Restored an historic local burial
ground, naming it "Edith
Ford Cemetery,"
to honor an aunt who reared him after early death of his mother. Maintained
close ties (in visits, hunting trips, correspondence) with people known in
boyhood. (1967)
Texas
Historical Commission
http://www.thc.state.tx.us/hemphill.html
Texas Historic Sites Atlas -
Search Frames Page
http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/Atlas/atlas_search_frame.html