Site of Epworth

Graves bought four sections and experimented with garden and feed crops; within two years A. E. Adams, A. N. Jones, D. L. Shepley and F. M. and L. T. Lester had brought their families in, and his home served for church and school. The cowboys he supplied rode for the Yellow House Division of the XIT. Hale County, created in 1876, was attached in turn to Baylor, Donley and Crosby counties until it organized in 1888; the 1890 census found 721 people. By 1893 New Epworth had a school, store, hotel, livery stable and newspaper.

What the plaque says

Site of Epworth (1883 - 1892) (1 1/4 miles southwest) First settlement in county. Established as a post office in 1884 by Horatio Graves of New York, a Methodist minister. Then only county resident, he planned to found religious colony here; named place for Epworth, England, birthplace of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Graves carried the mail from Estacado; also sold supplies to settlers and XIT Ranch cowboys. In 1891 he moved his post office several miles and started New Epworth; but drouth caused site to be abandoned in 1893. The residents joined with those of Hale City to found Hale Center. (1971)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• J. Frank Norfleet — steps away
• Nils Akeson — steps away
• First Baptist Church of Hale Center — 0.2 mi
• Ranching and Farming in Hale County — 1.2 mi