Historical Marker
The J. W. Carter Family and the 7-Up Ranch
Castro County · Texas
Erected 1981
The Carters ranched seventy-two sections on Running Water Draw, a medium-sized spread by Panhandle standards. Most of Castro County's land was then held by outfits based in other counties: the XIT in the south and west, the T Anchor in the north, the Cross L in the southeast and the Circle Cross in the east. Lysius Gough filed on land south of the future Dimmitt in 1888, and James L. Beach and his six sons followed in 1889, digging dugouts. Even so, the 1890 census found only nine people in the county, most of them Carters.
What the plaque says
The J. W. Carter Family and the 7-Up Ranch The first permanent settlers in Castro County, the James W. Carter family moved to this area in 1884. A tent and dugout served as home until a house was constructed (100 yards W.). Their cattle, which they brought with them, were marked with the 7-Up brand. Their daughter Lizzie (b. 1886) was the first white child born to a permanent settler in the area. James Carter (1845-1916) was instrumental in the organization of the Castro County government in 1891 and served on the first commissioners court. Carter and his wife Ellen (1855-1942) later opened a hotel in Dimmitt. (1981) SUPPLEMENTAL PLAQUE: J. W. Carter owned land at this site. His home was located 1/2 mile southwest of here.
Where it stands
34.38369, -102.41109 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Castro County — 12 mi
- Shoot-out on Jones Street — 13 mi
- Castro County Courthouses — 13 mi
- Summerfield-Dameron Corner — 16 mi