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Cowboy Strike, Site of Great | Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, The National | Deaf Smith County | Deaf Smith Courthouse, 1910 | Deaf Smith County Historical Museum | Ghost Towns of Deaf Smith | Mackenzie Trail
Great Cowboy Strike, Site of
Marker Title: Great Cowboy Strike, Site of
County: Deaf Smith
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: US 60, 5.5 mi. N of Hereford
Marker Text: (2 miles south) Began in Spring of 1883 when range hands from LS, LX, LIT and other large ranches organized a strike for better wages; was a reaction to loss of privileges given earlier and to attitude of big land owners toward cowboys. Several hired hands gathered at Alamocitos, headquarters of LS, to protest. Men on every ranch soon asked for higher pay, but strike failed due to surplus of cowboys and no means to enforce demands. Strike gave force to little men opposing cattle barons and three years later erupted in Tascosa into one of the bloodiest gun fights the West had ever seen. (1967)
National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center
Museum Name: The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1742
City: Hereford
Zip Code: 79045
Street Address: 515 Avenue B
Area Code: 806
Phone: 364-5252
County: Deaf Smith
Museum Classification: History, Art, Historic Site
Deaf Smith County
Marker Title: Deaf Smith County
Address: Courthouse Sq.
City: Hereford
County: Deaf Smith
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: at southwest corner of Courthouse Square - Hereford.
Marker Text: Formed from Young and Bexar territories: Created, August 21, 1876 - Organized, October 3, 1890. Named in honor of Erastus "Deaf" Smith, 1787-1837, came to Texas in 1821 rendered valuable service as a scout and spy during the Texas Revolution and was conspicuous for his bravery in the battle of San Jacinto. County Seat, La Plata, frequently called Grenada, 1890-1898 -Hereford, since 1899. (1936)
Deaf Smith Courthouse, 1910
Marker Title: Deaf Smith Courthouse, 1910
Address: 4th St.
City: Hereford
County: Deaf Smith
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Location: Courthouse Square, 4th Street - Hereford
Marker Text: Deaf Smith Courthouse, 1910. Brick with marble veneer and interior. Second marble courthouse built in U.S. Cost was $125,000. After hotly-contested bond issue election, Judge John Slaton and winners paraded down Main Street behind the band. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.
Deaf Smith County Historical Museum
Museum Name: Deaf Smith County Historical Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1007
City: Hereford
Zip Code: 79045
Street Address: 400 Sampson
Area Code: 806
Phone: 363-7070
County: Deaf Smith
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Historical, Local/Pioneer History
Ghost Towns of Deaf Smith
Marker Title: Ghost Towns of Deaf Smith County
City: Hereford
County: Deaf Smith
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: roadside park, US 60, 4 mi. SW of Hereford
Marker Text: Here as in many Texas counties, ghost towns and ghost post offices outnumber living ones. La Plata (formerly Grenada) thrived as county seat and was a major stop of New Mexico-Amarillo Road, 1880s and 90s. Its 28 houses and businesses were removed to Hereford with the county government in 1898. Ayr, which lost county seat to La Plata, 1890, had an early post office and a few frame buildings. Other nonexistent post offices include Escarbada (on XIT Ranch), 1889; Dean, 1892-99; Mirage (possibly on LS Ranch), 1891-94; Kelso, 1907-1908. (1969)
Mackenzie Trail
Marker Title: Mackenzie Trail
City: Hereford
County: Deaf Smith
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Text: Along this lonely, arid trail Gen. Ranald S. Mackenzie led his troops on scouting forays in the 1870s. Known for bravery and skill as a Civil War officer, he was sent to Texas and quickly adjusted to dangers and problems of frontier fighting. He fought against Comanches at Blanco and Tule Canyons. On Sept. 28, 1874, in Palo Duro Canyon, he led his men in one of the last major Indian battles in Texas where he slew more than 1,000 horses to cripple Indian action; thus he helped bring peace to the Texas Panhandle, making it safe for settlers. (1965)