Hale Center in Hale County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Stant Rhea Stage Stand
(6 miles east, on private property)
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 28, 2020
1. Stant Rhea Stage Stand Marker
Early settlers in this area kept in touch with the world by picking up their mail at railheads. Federal mail delivery to post offices began when W. L. Tharp took a route from the new railroad town of Amarillo to Plainview and Estacado in July and August, 1888. There were no roads; the round trip took six days. About 1889, W. H. Fuqua of Amarillo, who had a new U.S. mail contract, used a compass and laid off a route with several stations--one at Plainview. He soon added passenger service, but then disposed of the line, which about 1890 fell into the hands of Stant Rhea and Robert Montgomery. Buying out Montgomery, Rhea carried the mail for 19 years.
Sidney Stanton - "Stant" - Rhea (1862-1922) was a small, red-haired man who drove wild Spanish mules hitched to a buckboard (or carriage). He made the 240-mile round trip from Amarillo to this area three times a week. With later route changes and better roads, he came this way daily. Six miles east of this spot he had a mule corral and a dugout. Stage passengers and mail patrons used the dugout as a waiting room. Until railroads outmoded his service, Stant Rhea's route and stand were
this page online
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5431.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 33° 58.298′ N, 101° 51.201′ W. Marker is in Hale Center, Texas, in Hale County. Marker is on I 27, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hale Center TX 79041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ranching and Farming in Hale County (approx. 5.3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Hale Center (approx. 6.3 miles away); Nils Akeson (approx. 6.4 miles away); J. Frank Norfleet (approx. 6.4 miles away); Site of Epworth (approx. 6.4 miles away); Pearce Chapel-Strip Cemetery (approx. 9.3 miles away); Struve Family Businesses (approx. 9.7 miles away); Town of Abernathy (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hale Center.
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 28, 2020
2. Stant Rhea Stage Stand Marker
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 28, 2020
3. An additional sign for the Stant Rhea Stage Stand Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
