Old Hurley

Hurley tried a second time on the railroad. In September 1912 the Fairview Land and Cattle Company platted a new Hurley on the line, promising telephones, electric wiring, water, sewers and streetcars; a store, the post office, a Congregational church and a broom factory followed. But the townsite agents asked too much for the right-of-way, trains refused to stop, and the railroad set its depot at the new town of Muleshoe instead. Residents were given free trips to Austin to plead their case, and soap was sometimes rubbed on the rails to stop the trains.

What the plaque says

Old Hurley One-half mile west to townsite of Old Hurly. First town in Bailey County. Promoted in 1907 by land company of Stevens A. Coldren (d. 1924). He had a townsite surveyed and named it for Patrick J. Hurley (1883-1963), New Mexico political leader. Company built a general store, hotel and livery stable. Wide plowed furrows indicated future streets. In August 1907 a post office was established. Settlers came in and a church and school were begun. In 1913, however, the railroad bypassed town. Efforts to start "New Hurley"-- on the rail line -- failed. After Muleshoe became county seat, 1918, Hurley expired. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge — 21 mi
  The oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, a ring of salt lakes in the sandhills south of Muleshoe where tens of thousands of sandhill cranes winter in a wet year.

More markers nearby

• The Mule — 2.6 mi
• The Founding of Bailey County — 2.7 mi
• Bailey County — 2.7 mi
• Bailey County Cemetery — 2.9 mi