Amherst in Lamb County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Town of Amherst
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, February 27, 2021
1. Town of Amherst Marker
Began in 1913 as a cattle-shipping point on Pecos and Northern Texas Railroad. Served the 300,000-acre Spring Lake Ranch, which was established in 1902 by W.E. "Colonel Bill" Halsell (1850-1934) and his son Ewing Halsell (1877-1965). According to local tradition the shipping point was named for Amherst College, Mass., alma mater of one of the railway officials.
When, in 1923, the economy of the High Plains began to switch from ranching to farming, the Halsells divided much of their land to sell to the influx of new settlers. Farms could be bought for $25 an acre. They set aside land at the railroad depot for a town and donated lots for a school and churches. First permanent building was the Amherst Hotel, built by Halsell Land Company for prospective buyers and visitors. It also had space for a bank, general store, and office. For years it was the most popular hotel between Clovis, N.M. and Lubbock, Tex.
The first general store was opened in 1923, a post office in 1924, and the First National Bank in 1925. The town's first newspaper was the "Argus". By 1930 Amherst had a population of 964. Today (1972) citizens number
this page online
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5519.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 34° 0.513′ N, 102° 25.018′ W. Marker is in Amherst, Texas, in Lamb County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 37, 0.9 miles east of U.S. 84, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amherst TX 79312, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sod House Spring (approx. 6.6 miles away); Rocky Ford Crossing and Community (approx. 7.3 miles away); Old Watering Trough (approx. 7.4 miles away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 7.4 miles away); Replica of XIT's Giant Windmill (approx. 7.7 miles away); In Memory of George W. Littlefield (approx. 7.8 miles away); Comanchero Trail (approx. 8.1 miles away); Lamb County Sand Hills (approx. 10.8 miles away).
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, February 27, 2021
2. Town of Amherst Marker
Photographed By Allen Lowrey, February 27, 2021
3. Town of Amherst Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
