Spearman

Spearman was platted in May 1917 ahead of the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway, but World War I held up the line until October 1919. By 1926 it had thirty businesses and about 1,000 people, though fires in 1922 and 1924 destroyed most of the business district; the Handbook of Texas ties the more durable buildings, the brick streets and a new water system to the rebuilding. In the Depression townspeople planted vacant lots in wheat. Spearman stayed the end of the line until 1931, and the Santa Fe agent's former house is now a museum.

What the plaque says

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)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Museum of the Plains — 26 mi
  Perryton's four-acre museum of the wheat country at the top of Texas, with an 1899 depot, five historic buildings and a life-size Hank the Cowdog, whose author grew up here.

More markers nearby

• Hansford County Sheriff Robert E. (Bob) Martin — steps away
• Hansford County — steps away
• Lindberghs Land at Spearman — 1.7 mi
• Old Farwell — 11 mi