Near Plainview in Hale County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Halfway
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, June 7, 2017
1. Halfway Marker
Inscription.
Halfway. . Settlers came to this area seeking abundant grass, fertile soil, and water. This site, acquired by R. L. Hooper (1872-1952) and his wife Ada Mae (Hughley) (1880-1955) in the 1890s, received its name because it stood "halfway" between Olton and Plainview. It made a good rest stop for ranchers, with a windmill for water and overnight camping. Early pioneers raised enough grain for their stock. Arrival of the railroad in Plainview in 1906 and use of irrigation systems developed a vast agricultural region. , In 1908 Hooper provided six acres and helped build a schoolhouse for his seven and the neighbors' children. Hooper donated land in 1910 for Edgar Howard to build the first store where he ran a post office and wagon yard. Methodist and Baptist congregations met in the school building until they erected sanctuaries. The post office closed in 1914 but the settlement boasted a blacksmith shop and a cotton gin. In 1917 Hooper gave one acre for a burial ground. , Although population decline caused the Halfway School to consolidate with Plainview in 1952, the community is still prospering. Located here is the High Plains Research Foundation to aid farmers in the surrounding 19-county area.
Settlers came to this area seeking abundant grass, fertile soil, and water. This site, acquired by R. L. Hooper (1872-1952) and his wife Ada Mae (Hughley) (1880-1955) in the 1890s, received its name because it stood "halfway" between Olton and Plainview. It made a good rest stop for ranchers, with a windmill for water and overnight camping. Early pioneers raised enough grain for their stock. Arrival of the railroad in Plainview in 1906 and use of irrigation systems developed a vast agricultural region.
In 1908 Hooper provided six acres and helped build a schoolhouse for his seven and the neighbors' children. Hooper donated land in 1910 for Edgar Howard to build the first store where he ran a post office and wagon yard. Methodist and Baptist congregations met in the school building until they erected sanctuaries. The post office closed in 1914 but the settlement boasted a blacksmith shop and a cotton gin. In 1917 Hooper gave one acre for a burial ground.
Although population decline caused the Halfway School to consolidate with Plainview in 1952, the community is still prospering. Located here is the High Plains Research Foundation to aid farmers in the surrounding 19-county area.
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2334.)
Location. 34° 11.285′ N, 101° 57.119′ W. Marker is near Plainview, Texas, in Hale County. Marker is on U.S. 70 east of Farm to Market Road 1070, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plainview TX 79072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 631 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.