Stratford in Sherman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, December 15, 2024

1. Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker

Inscription. On May 2, 1901, an election was held to determine whether the Sherman County seat should be moved from Coldwater (a ranching center in the central part of the county) to Stratford (a growing town on the new railroad). Partisan feelings ran high and the legality of certain votes was questioned.

Because of a threatened injunction against the move, a special session of court was held at 1 a.m. on May 6. Votes were canvassed and, under cover of darkness, the county records were spirited to a tent about 2 blocks south of here. A horseman bringing the injunction to halt the move arrived too late. For several days apprehensive Stratford citizens kept an armed guard posted around the tent.

Proponents of Coldwater then filed a suit titled "W.B. Slaughter Et Al. vs. D.W. Snyder Et Al.", but by the time court convened, Stratford had been widely accepted as county seat and the suit was dismissed.

Those who helped move the records included D.W. Snyder, County Judge; C.F. Rudolph, County Clerk; Dick Pincham, Sheriff; D.D. Spurlock, Deputy Sheriff; Tom Chambers, Treasurer; W.J. Potts and J.H. Bowman, Jr., Commissioners; and J.M. Upshaw, a hired freighter.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4241.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1901.

Location. 36° 20.281′ N, 102° 4.209′ W. Marker is in Stratford, Texas, in Sherman County. It is on North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 North 3rd Street, Stratford TX 79084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sherman County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Sidney Sherman (a few steps from this marker); Early Settlers on Coldwater Creek (approx. 3.7 miles away); Sherman County (approx. 5.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. County Named for Sidney Sherman, C.S.A. (was approx. 2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker <i>is on the left</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016

2. Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker is on the left

Sherman County Courthouse Marker is on the right.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016

3. Removal of Archives From Coldwater to Stratford Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 704 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.