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History in
a (Burkett) Pecan Shell
The county was
established in 1858 but hardly anyone was interested in settling this
region for the first twenty years. Founded in 1876, Callahan City
was originally a waterhole on the Western Cattle Trail to Dodge
City. As Yogi Berra might have said: “It’s future was ahead of
it.”
Stores appeared to supply traildrivers, and with the arrival of settlers,
they started stocking items for permanent residents.
The first Callahan County Commissioners Court was held here in July
of 1877, but despite having the advantage of it’s name – it lost county
seat status to Belle
Plain in December that same year.
Belle
Plain hardly had time to gloat – they lost their county seat status
to Baird a short time later
when the Texas and Pacific Railroad came through, bypassing
both towns.
A cemetery (shown on county maps) is now all that remains of Callahan
City. |
Historical Marker:
From Baird, take FM 2228 SE about 8.5 miles
Callahan City
Callahan County
was created in 1858 and named for Texas Ranger James H. Callahan (1814-56).
Permanent settlement of this area began after the Civil War (1861-65).
Residents petitioned in 1877 for organization of county government.
Callahan City, then a village with two stores and a post office, became
temporary county seat when the first commissioners court met here
on July 30, 1877. The nearby town of Belle Plaine won a spirited election
for permanent county seat in December 1877. After the Callahan City
post office moved there six months later, this community soon disappeared.
(1977) |
Photographers'
Note:
The cemetery of Callahan City looked semi-maintained. Grass was pretty
high and the flags were faded, but it still seemed like it received
regular visitors. - Lexie
Nichols and Jordan Gibson, February, 2009 |
Historical Marker:
from Baird, take US 80 East about 4 miles, then go south on FM 2228
about 2.5 miles
Callahan City
Cemetery
Established prior
to the organization of Callahan
County in 1877. Burial place of many pioneers who came here during
era of Indians and great early ranches. Served people of such bygone
towns as Admiral, Callahan
City, and other neighboring communities.
(1967) |
| 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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