Barstow in Ward County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of First Ward County Courthouse
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
1. Site of First Ward County Courthouse Marker
A three-story red sandstone courthouse with a domed cupola was constructed here in 1893, one year after Barstow was elected first Ward County seat. The first elected officials to serve in the courthouse were R.D. Gage, Co. Judge; S.D. McWhorter, Co. & Dist. Clerk; W.M. Ware, Sheriff & Tax Collector; John W. Phillips, Co. Attorney; S.H. Parker, Tax Assessor; J.B. Carson, Surveyor; J.J. Walker, Treas.; Pat Wheat, Comm. No. 1; W.C. Carson, Comm. No. 2; Pat Duracke, Comm. No. 3; and A.D. Irvin, Comm. No. 4. The landmark was razed soon after the county seat moved to Monahans in 1938. All that remains is a cornerstone.
Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4789.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 31° 27.695′ N, 103° 23.653′ W. Marker is in Barstow, Texas, in Ward County. It is at the intersection of Mackey Avenue (Ranch to Market Road 516) and Concho Street, on the right when traveling north on Mackey Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Texas. It is also in the American Southwest. 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 Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Early Public Library (here, next to this marker); Old Ward County Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Graveyard (approx. 6 miles away); Emigrants' Crossing (approx. 6.4 miles away); Mrs. Lillie W. Cole (approx. 6.4 miles away); Spanish Explorers (approx. 6.4 miles away); Reeves County-Pecos, Texas (approx. 6.4 miles away); The Pecos Cantaloupe (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barstow.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012
2. Site of First Ward County Courthouse Marker
Courthouse cornerstone is just to the right of marker.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012
3. Site of First Ward County Courthouse Marker (on left)
Early Public Library Marker is on the right.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012
4. Site of First Ward County Courthouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 757 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2026, by Danny L Vest of Levelland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
