Near Snyder in Scurry County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Block 97 Controversy

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

1. The Block 97 Controversy Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Notorious county land dispute arising from state practice of paying railroads in public land for trackage laid. Began in 1873 when Houston & Texas Central claimed, in error, some 300,000 acres of Block 97 which were in reserve for Texas & Pacific.

Found in 1882, the error voided all deeds from H. & T.C. for lots in the reserve. Much land was unscrupulously resold, causing a decade of conflict over claims.

Issue was decided only when 1899 Legislature, on authority of State Supreme Court, declared land to be state school land and gave settlers option to buy.

Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5293.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 32° 43.697′ N, 100° 59.826′ W. Marker is near Snyder, Texas, in Scurry County. Marker is on U.S. 180 east of Farm to Market Road 1609, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Snyder TX 79549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies. Von Roeder Cotton Breeding Farms (approx. 1.9 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Stanfield House, 1910 (approx. 4.4 miles away); E. W. Clark House (approx. 4.4 miles away); F. J. Grayum Home (approx. 4.4 miles away); Channel of Deep Creek (approx. 4½ miles away); Towle House (approx. 4½ miles away); Witness Tree (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snyder.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

2. The Block 97 Controversy Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017

3. The Block 97 Controversy Marker

View east on highway US-180

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.