"The Poet Ranchman" Larry Chittenden

Chittenden grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, worked in his family's dry goods store and as a New York newspaper reporter, and in 1883 borrowed fifty dollars to come to Texas as a traveling salesman, paying his way with articles sent back to New York papers. His Texas ranch was a partnership with his uncle, the former New York congressman Simeon B. Chittenden, at the foot of Skinout Mountain; after the uncle died in 1889, Larry bought out the estate's interest. Legend credits a San Angelo woman with inspiring an earlier poem, "The Odd Fellow's Ball," in 1885.

What the plaque says

(March 23, 1862 - Sept. 24, 1934) Author of "Cowboys' Christmas Ball" - cited for literary merit by National Folklore Society. Born in New Jersey, Chittenden first came to Texas as a sales agent. In 1884 he visited S. M. Swenson at this site; in 1887 began developing 10,000 acres of family-owned land 16 miles southwest of here. Through rough ranch life he caught spirit of the land. With publication of his "Ranch Verses" in 1893, fame was assured. He lived in Jones County for many years; gave his own library and an endowment to Anson High School. His burial place is in New Jersey. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Phantom Hill — 22 mi
  A field of lone stone chimneys north of Abilene, left by the fire after the Army left in 1854, later a stage stop and a buffalo-hide town of more than 500 people.

More markers nearby

• Texas Cowboy Reunion Oldtimers' Association — steps away
• Stamford — 0.5 mi
• Swenson Land and Cattle Company Headquarters — 1.1 mi
• Spring Creek Cemetery — 6.7 mi