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History in
a Pecan Shell
In a familiar case
of death-by-railroad, Mertzon
became the county seat in 1936. This was merely a technicality since
Sherwood had all but been abandoned when the railroad by-passed it
by two miles in 1910.
The now privately owned courthouse is available for special events
and festivals. The clock faces had painted hands. This was not an
uncommon practice in counties across the U.S. in the 19th Century.
The present Irion
County Courthouse in Mertzon is one of the ugliest in Texas.
The entire Irion County population is less than 2,000 with about half
living in Mertzon.
Nearby is the site of the Battle of Dove Creek (see marker),
although it is on private land. This fight took place in January of
1865 and involved a Confederate Frontier Battalion and a large number
of Kickapoo Indians who were en route to Mexico (where they remain
today). The Confederates engaged the Indians who were well defended
by terrain. A rare snow was falling and after the battle the defeated
Southerners resorted to eating some of their horses. Nothing was accomplished
except for creating a hostile border environment for many years later.
The Kickapoo Indians today maintain dual Mexican - U.S. Citizenship.
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Birds Eye View
of Sherwood
Postcard
courtesy of Mae Cox, submitted by Charles Darnell |
The First Irion
County Courthouse
Sherwood, Texas
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| Former Irion
County Courthouse in Sherwood |
| "The old
Irion County courthouse in Sherwood is surrounded by empty fields
and a smattering of residences and mobile homes. The near desolation
adds a nostalgic charm to this remarkable building." - Terry
Jeanson, June 2005 photo |
Sherwood Courthouse
historical marker.
Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, June 2005 |
Historical Marker
Sherwood Courthouse
(Built 1900-1901)
First permanent courthouse for Irion
County, locally organized 1889. Replaced temporary housing in
several buildings. Site was gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ripley. Contractors:
Martin and Moody. Stone was quarried nearby.
Courthouse was used for dances, teachers' institutes, community events;
yard, for summer socials.
Enclosed to keep out grazing stock, approach was by a stile over fence
beside which were water troughs and hitching posts for teams and saddle
horses.
A 1936 election made Mertzon
county seat. Once pride of area, this is now a community center.
(1971)
See Irion
County Courthouse in Mertzon |
The
courthouse's clock tower with the time painted on.
Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, June 2005 |
1901
Irion County Courthouse Entrance
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, June 2005 |
Dove Creek Battlefield Marker
On private property on the Dove Creek Ranch
8 miles SE of Mertzon
via FM 915 and CR 113
Click on photo for large image
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, June 2014 |
Texas Centennial
Marker
Dove Creek
Battlefield
Around this mountain
a battle was fought on January 8, 1865 between 2000 Indians and Texas
Rangers and State Troops commanded by Captains John Fossett and S.
S. Totten. Four officers and 22 of their men lie in unmarked graves
nearby. |
Irion
County 1940s map showing Sherwood
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Sherwood, Texas
Forum
Sherwood is
not yet a ghost town, but it lost its post office 50 years ago,
and that's the first and a big step toward disappearing. - John
J. Germann, July 23, 2023
While it is
true that the Kickapoo do live near Nacimientos, Coahuila, Mexico,
they also live near Eagle
Pass, Texas and in Kansas and travel between all locations freely.
I really enjoy Texas Escapes and thank you for your dedicated work
on it. - Bick Eubanks, June 22, 2002
I was recently
doing some metal detecting in Mertzon,
TX area and found a token with the following on one side: Ranchman's
Retreat J.W. Murphy - Propr. Sherwood Texas and the following on
the other: Good for one 12 1/2cent drink. If you could help me identify
this piece, or give me some idea where I might get additional information,
it would be greatly appreciated. - Ray Bartek, May 10, 2002
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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