Lamesa in Dawson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Chicago

(¼ mi N.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

1. Site of Chicago Marker

Inscription. W.C. Bishop of Chicago, Ill., and wealthy lumberman George N. Fletcher established the Oto (later Bar To) ranch about 1887 on Fletcher's extensive landholdings in Dawson County. A post office was opened at the ranch headquarters on May 15,1889, and named Chicago, both in honor of Bishop's home town and in humorous reference to the sparse population of the area. The postal facility served other large ranches in this vicinity, such as C. C. Slaughter's Long S.

In the 1890s, Fletcher left the ranching venture, and A. F. Crowley and W. H. Godair became Bishop's partners. By that time, a village had begun to grow up around the post office. B. A. Oden served as Oto ranch foreman and Postmaster of Chicago from 1894 to 1903. When Walter Stemmons replaced him in both positions in 1904, the settlement was renamed Stemmons. The same year, a post office was established in the new town of Lamesa, two miles south of Chicago.

Dawson County was organized in 1905, and both towns entered the contest for county seat. When Lamesa won, residents of Chicago quickly relocated their homes and businesses there. The school and Baptist and

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Methodist churches also moved to Lamesa, within days, the Community of Chicago has disappeared.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4754.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1889.

Location. 32° 45.197′ N, 101° 57.515′ W. Marker is in Lamesa, Texas, in Dawson County. It is on North 22nd Street west of North Main street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lamesa TX 79331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away);

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

2. Site of Chicago Marker

Lamesa Farm Workers Community (approx. 3.3 miles away); Dawson County (approx. 4.4 miles away).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

3. Site of Chicago Marker

View west on North 22nd Street

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.