Burkburnett in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Samuel Burk Burnett

(January 1, 1849-June 26, 1922)

Photographed by James Hulse, October 27, 2025

1. Samuel Burk Burnett Marker

Inscription. A native of Missouri, Samuel Burk Burnett came to Texas with his family soon after the Civil War. He married Ruth Loyd of Fort Worth in 1870, and in partnership with her father, Martin B. Loyd, established the famous Four Sixes (6666) Ranch in 1875. Burnett became one of the most influential ranchers in the state and a major business leader in Fort Worth. Burnett's second wife was Mary Couts Barradel of Weatherford. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is said to have named the town of Burkburnett after a wolf hunting trip with Burnett in 1905.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4512.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 34° 5.266′ N, 98° 34.131′ W. Marker is in Burkburnett, Texas, in Wichita County. It is at the intersection of Sheppard Road and Tidal Street, on the right when traveling north on Sheppard Road. The marker is located at the front entrance to the Burkburnett City Hall building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Sheppard Road, Burkburnett TX 76354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Gerham Hardin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Baptist Church

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Burkburnett Masonic Lodge No. 1027 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charley Lee Coe (approx. 0.7 miles away); The First National Bank of Burkburnett (approx. 0.7 miles away); 1960 Ford Milk Truck (approx. 0.7 miles away); Panhandle Oil and Refining Company (approx. 0.7 miles away); Home of Monroe Dodson (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkburnett.

Also see . . . Burk Burnett: The Legacy of a Texas Rancher and Oilman. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

In 1874 Burnett bought and moved cattle from South Texas to the area of Little Wichita, now Wichita Falls, where he established his ranch headquarters in 1881. The move was partly prompted by the increase in the number of Four Sixes cattle and an agreement drawn up between Burnett and Quanah Parker, Comanche chief and friend of Burnett. Through Parker's assistance over a period of years Burnett leased 300,000 acres of Kiowa and Comanche land in Indian Territory for 6½ cents an acre. He grazed 10,000 cattle on this land until 1902. After 1898 cattlemen were told to surrender their
Photographed by James Hulse, October 27, 2025

2. The Burkburnett City Hall building and Marker
lease agreements to allow opening of Oklahoma Territory to homesteaders. Burnett once again called on a friend for assistance, this time Theodore Roosevelt. The Texas rancher asked the president for an extension so that the Texas cattle might be removed in an orderly fashion. Roosevelt's agreement to the request enabled Burnett to purchase land to offset the loss of grazing rights in Oklahoma. Between 1900 and 1903 Burnett purchased 107,520 acres in Carson County northeast of Amarillo and bought the Old "8" Ranch, of 141,000 acres, near Guthrie in King County, ninety-three miles east of Lubbock. The two purchases increased the size of the Four Sixes to 206,000 acres. Ultimately, Burnett owned ranches in Oklahoma and Mexico in addition to his holdings in Texas and ran 20,000 cattle under the Four Sixes brand.

(Submitted on October 31, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Texas rancher and businessman Samuel Burk Burnett image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Unknown Author - Wikipedia Commons, circa September 1, 1914

3. Texas rancher and businessman Samuel Burk Burnett

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.