Near Claude in Armstrong County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Hamblen Drive

Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 20, 2020

1. Hamblen Drive Marker

Inscription.

Named for William H. Hamblen (1878 - 1952), who in 1890s pioneered a crude road (about 6 mi. N) into Palo Duro Canyon along old Indian trails. This cut 120 miles off settlers' trips to the courthouse in Claude, but was steep and dangerous. Hamblen and his wife Ada (1883 - 1955), ranched near Wayside after 1905. He worked unceasingly to get a passable road through Palo Duro Canyon. Elected county commissioner in 1928, he at last had a graded road built. By decision of the commissioners' court, road was dedicated in 1930 as Hamblen Drive. With its paving in 1954, a dream of a lifetime was realized.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968
Marker is property of the State of Texas

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4284.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 34° 47.904′ N, 101° 26.167′ W. Marker is near Claude, Texas, in Armstrong County. Marker can be reached from Hamblen Drive (State Highway 207) 23½ miles south of Claude, TX. Marker located in turnout/park off of Highway 207. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3418 Highway 207, Claude TX 79019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other

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markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The S.P. Hamblen Family (approx. 4.7 miles away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 6.2 miles away); Dugout of W. M. Dye (approx. 10.4 miles away); The Vigo Park Methodist Church (approx. 10.7 miles away); The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon (approx. 14.6 miles away).

The previous marker was titled "Roadside Park on Hamblen Drive" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Royal, May 29, 2009

2. The previous marker was titled "Roadside Park on Hamblen Drive"

The earlier text was only slightly modified on the new marker.

Roadside Park on Hamblen Drive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Royal, May 29, 2009

3. Roadside Park on Hamblen Drive Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 16, 2016

4. Roadside Park on Hamblen Drive Marker

The marker was previously missing. Note the broken off post on the right. The broken post on the left was for The Battle of Red River Marker.

Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 20, 2020

5. Hamblen Drive Marker

A view near the Hamblen Drive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen Lowrey, June 20, 2020

6. A view near the Hamblen Drive Marker

View of Palo Duro Canyon and Hamblen Drive snaking northwards from Roadside Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Royal, May 29, 2009

7. View of Palo Duro Canyon and Hamblen Drive snaking northwards from Roadside Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,666 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 21, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. 4. submitted on December 17, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2020, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. 7. submitted on November 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.