Snyder in Scurry County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Home County of Famous Frontiersman J. Wright Mooar
(August 10, 1851 - May 1, 1940)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 16, 2015
1. Home County of Famous Frontiersman J. Wright Mooar Marker
Champion hunter of buffalo—largest game animal in North America. Born in Vermont; came west at 19. Began hunting in 1870 to supply hides for market.
In partnership with his brother, John W. Mooar, in 1873 established first buffalo hunting camp in the Texas Panhandle. On Oct. 7, 1876, at his first hunting camp in Scurry County, killed a rare albino buffalo—one of two known to have been killed in Texas. The hide of that albino, afterward shown in 1904 St. Louis Fair and many other occasions, is now preserved here in Scurry County by Mooar's descendants.
Hunted regularly until 1879; in 1881 helped furnish game and hay to feed construction men and animals building Texas & Pacific Railroad in West Texas.
During his career, he shot about 22,000 buffalo—a record probably unsurpassed. His ability to hit a vital spot at a distance of 1,000 feet or farther won the respect of such Indians as Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, who became his friend in later life.
Began ranching with his brother in 1877. Also had a business in Colorado City, 1881-1905. Was highly esteemed. Site of killing of white buffalo (10 mi. NW of here) is near the Old Mooar Ranch headquarters, where his hand-dug water well is now surrounded by oil wells.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 32° 43.021′ N, 100° 55.092′ W. Marker is in Snyder, Texas, in Scurry County. Marker is at the intersection of 25th Street (U.S. 180) and College Avenue (State Highway 350), on the right when traveling east on 25th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1806 25th Street, Snyder TX 79549, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First State Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); County's First Law Men (within shouting distance of this marker); County Named for Texas Confederate William R. Scurry (within shouting distance of this marker); Company G (within shouting distance of this marker); Scurry County's Canyon Reef Oil Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Scurry County Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Scurry County (within shouting distance of this marker); Scurry County Courthouse Site and Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snyder.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 16, 2015
2. Statue of bison and marker.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017
3. Home County of Famous Frontiersman J. Wright Mooar Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 16, 2015
4. Scurry County Courthouse
Photographed By Mark Hilton
5. J. Wright Mooar
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 521 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on December 4, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on September 21, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
