Near Ralls in Crosby County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Emma
In the fall of that year, the county seat was moved from Estacado to Emma; residents dismantled the Estacado courthouse and moved it piece by piece to its new site on Emma's town square. Along with the courthouse came many of Estacado's businesses, including the Crosby County News, edited by J.W. Murray. Land speculators, including Julian Bassett of C.B. Livestock Co. and John R. Ralls, founder of the town of Ralls, also came to the area.
During the next two decades, Emma experienced a boom. By 1910, the town had several hundred residents, supporting a post office, the Meyer Hotel and a school. That year, however, the South Plains Railroad bypassed the community by approximately five miles, traveling from Lubbock to Crosbyton. Later, Ralls became an additional stop along the railway. County residents voted in a disputed election to move the county seat to Crosbyton. Soon most of Emma's residences and businesses were moved to Crosbyton and Ralls; the old courthouse was hauled to Cedric, where it served as housing and was eventually razed.
Although the area around Emma is still agricultural, the former county seat quickly became a ghost town as residents moved to other communities. Today, the Emma Cemetery is the only remaining link to the men and women who once inhabited the town.
Erected 1968 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12942.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 33° 37.137′ N, 101° 23.383′ W. Marker is near Ralls, Texas, in Crosby County. Marker is on State Highway 207, 3.8 miles south of U.S. 82, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ralls TX 79357, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Emma Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ralls Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); John R. Ralls Building (approx. 4.2 miles away); Early Settlers of Ralls (approx. 4.2 miles away); City of Ralls (approx. 4.2 miles away); Crosby County Courthouse (approx. 9.1 miles away); a different marker also named Crosby County Courthouse (approx. 9.1 miles away); Lamar Building (approx. 9.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ralls.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.