Historical Markers and War Memorials in Canadian, Texas
Canadian is the county seat for Hemphill County
Canadian is in Hemphill County
Hemphill County(35) ► ADJACENT TO HEMPHILL COUNTY Gray County(33) ► Lipscomb County(24) ► Roberts County(11) ► Wheeler County(41) ► Ellis County, Oklahoma(3) ► Roger Mills County, Oklahoma(5) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On L south of K, on the left when traveling south.
A landmark for pioneers on military and stage road nearby, 1870-1890. Over a century old, tree measures 21 feet around. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 1969 — — Map (db m153717) HM
On FM 2266, 3.5 miles east of U.S. 60, on the left when traveling east.
Begun 1891 by blacksmith J. C. Studer who came from Kansas in 1886. His occupation inspired Anvil brand and name of ranch. Ran only purebred cattle after 1919. Drew top cattle buyers. Spread grew from two sections to 5,000 acres. Famous for . . . — — Map (db m153576) HM
On County Route 15, 1.1 miles south of Farm to Market Road 277, on the left when traveling south.
Here on September 12th, 1874 two scouts and four soldiers defeated 125 Kiowa and Comanche Indians
Scouts
William Dixon
Amos Chapman
Soldiers
Sergeant ZT Woodall Co I
Peter Rath Co A
John Harrington Co H
George W Smith . . . — — Map (db m71790) HM WM
On U.S. 60 north of 6th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Trade, exploration and hunting trails along the Canadian are older than recorded history—old when used 1541 by Spaniard Coronado hunting golden cities of Cibola. Route in 1840 for Josiah Gregg and 34 Missouri men with goods worth $25,000 . . . — — Map (db m55741) HM
In 1915, Hemphill County contracted to erect a bridge to span the Canadian River. Construction of the Canadian River Wagon Bridge was completed in July, 1916. The bridge was comprised of seventeen 153.5 ft. pin-connected Parker through-truss spans; . . . — — Map (db m93636) HM
On County Rd 22, 1.3 miles north of Farm to Market Road 277.
The Cataline community predates Hemphill County’s organization. Families moving to this area established the county’s first school (1885) and church (1887). A post office opened in Feb. 1887, five months before the county organized. In March 1896, . . . — — Map (db m154128) HM
Thomas T. McGee, the first sheriff of the town of Canadian, was buried in 1894 on a hill on the east side of town. There were already grave markers there dating back to 1883. McGee's widow, Mary, purchased the land and it became known as the McGee . . . — — Map (db m93642) HM
On County Road 28, 0.8 miles north of State Highway 33, on the right when traveling north.
Also known as Prairie Dell Cemetery, this burial ground has served eastern Hemphill county since 1895, when Dora Calhoun, an infant, was interred here. George W. Little, a landowner in the then-thriving Eller Flat community, donated property for . . . — — Map (db m153581) HM
On East Main Street at South 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
This church was organized by seven women in 1894 with the help of the Rev. Hatcher, a Baptist minister from Amarillo. Shortly thereafter about 32 people, converted at a local revival held by the Rev. Abe Mulkey, joined the new congregation. Early . . . — — Map (db m55756) HM
On East Purcell Avenue at South 6th Street, on the left when traveling east on East Purcell Avenue.
Bought in 1890 and placed in old Presbyterian Church, used by several faiths. Was first church bell in Canadian, Hemphill County.
Congregation held suppers and other projects to repay bank loan on bell.
Later bell was moved to new . . . — — Map (db m55768) HM
On South 2nd Street (U.S. 60) at East Main Street, on the left when traveling south on South 2nd Street.
Successor to first bank in Texas Panhandle: the Traders' Bank at Canadian, organized by Henry Hamburg and Robert Moody on August 1, 1887. In 1892 Moody and D. J. Young, his son-in-law, established the Canadian Valley Bank. The two men converted it . . . — — Map (db m55748) HM
On Farm to Market Road 277 at County Route 15, on the left when traveling east on Route 277.
A rest stop in the 1870s and 80s on military and stage line. Serviced wagon trains, buffalo hide caravans, and cattle herds. Was also mail pick-up station.
Former buffalo hunter-scout Ed Fletcher ran the station. His partners were Jimmie . . . — — Map (db m71789) HM
On FM 2266 (U.S. 60) at U.S. 60, on the left when traveling east on FM 2266.
Forerunner of town of Canadian. Sprang up, 1886, as a tent city for railroad gang working on Southern Kansas line. Named for poor appearance - like a hogpen. After landowner Sam Polland and railroad disputed price for land, line moved across . . . — — Map (db m153575) HM
On County Road 13, on the left when traveling north.
With settlers moving into the area around 1900, the community of Gageby began to grow with a school and other services. In 1944, Mr. C.G. Barker and his wife Sarah A. Barker, donated three acres for a community cemetery. Mr. Barker passed away in . . . — — Map (db m153571) HM
On U.S. 83, 5.8 miles south of Texas Highway 33, on the right when traveling south.
Indian raids brought General Miles' men to Texas in 1874 as part of U.S. Army pincer's tactic operating from a dugout post. The twelve infantry and cavalry units had supply camps on the Canadian, Red and Washita rivers. On November 8, 1874, Gen. . . . — — Map (db m93678) HM
On FM 2266, 5.2 miles U.S. 60, on the right when traveling east.
The Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area contains approximately 6,000 acres of upland sandhills, pastures, natural meadows and woodlands fronting the north bank of the Canadian River. Named for Eugene A. Howe, Amarillo newspaper publisher, . . . — — Map (db m153577) HM
On U.S. 60 north of 6th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Formed from Young and Bexar
Territories
Created August 21, 1876
Organized July 5, 1886
Named in honor of
John Hemphill, 1809-1862
First Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the State of Texas
Adjutant General of the
Somervell . . . — — Map (db m55742) HM
On East Purcell Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Built in 1890. First permanent public building in both town of Canadian and Hemphill County. Erected under administration of E. E. Polly, first county judge.
Ironically, deception plagued construction of this jail, as building contracts were . . . — — Map (db m93658) HM
On U.S. 60, 1 mile north of Texas Highway 33, on the right when traveling south.
During the mass slaughter of buffaloes in the Panhandle, 2 trails arose to meet the needs of the hunters and their ever-hungry markets. Started about 1876, both moved vast convoys of wagons across the plains.
Charles Rath—transporting gun . . . — — Map (db m55769) HM
On East Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
This is a two-sided marker
Front Side:
On the eve of secession, U.S. Senator Hemphill set forth to Senate January 1861 Texas' right to secede and again became a sovereign nation. Elected delegate provisional Confederate Congress at . . . — — Map (db m55752) HM
On South 6th Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Prominent area rancher Thomas Stanley Jones, a native of Wales, had this home built in 1910 for his wife, Rosalie (Whaley), and their children. Designed by Amarillo architect E. Wellington, it was the first brick residence constructed in Canadian. . . . — — Map (db m93647) HM
On South 6th Street at Bungalow Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South 6th Street.
Born in Massachusetts. Came to Texas, 1888, as Hemphill County's first public school teacher. Often saw Indians darken the schoolroom windows trying to watch her classes recite.
Married Will C. Isaacs in 1892.
Founder and guiding spirit of . . . — — Map (db m55767) HM
On South 2nd Street (U.S. 60) at West Main Street, on the right when traveling south on South 2nd Street.
In 1910 Canadian was a thriving railroad and marketing center with a Baptist Academy. English-born Robert Moody (1838-1915), a rancher, banker and trustee of the academy, decided to build a hotel that would reflect the town's prosperity. On the site . . . — — Map (db m55747) HM
On L south of K, on the left when traveling south.
One of earliest known Texas Panhandle trails. Flint-pierced mastodon bones show prehistoric men trailed this valley before Indians were here. In 1875, U.S. Army came this way to Fort Elliott, at Mobeetie (30 miles, southwest). Mail routes and . . . — — Map (db m153928) HM
Peta Nocona died of old war wound while picking wild plums on Canadian River; buried in Antelope Hills, c. 1863
Arrow Sculptor: Charles A. Smith — — Map (db m153570) HM
On East Main Street east of South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Famed hunter. In 1870's killed buffalo on this square; was one of the first men to hunt commercially.
Came to Texas in 1874. In 1887, helped to survey the townsite here, where he became lifelong resident, operating a livery stable and wagon . . . — — Map (db m55750) HM
On U.S. 60 north of 6th Street, on the right when traveling west.
A leader in America's finance and transportation. Born here, in house built by lawyer Temple Houston, son of Republic of Texas President Sam Houston.
His grandfather was traildriver, pioneer rancher; his father, president of the first bank in . . . — — Map (db m55743) HM
On U.S. 60, 0.5 miles west of U.S. 83, on the right when traveling west.
This overland route, blazed in 1849 by energetic and efficient Army Captain R. B. Marcy, was best known as part of the California Gold Trail. Starting in Oklahoma, Marcy led an expedition across the Texas Panhandle and back through central West . . . — — Map (db m55770) HM
On TX 33, 10 miles east of U.S. 83, on the right when traveling north.
During the U.S. Army campaigns in 1874 against marauding Indians, Captain Wyllys Lyman led a wagon train to Camp Supply, Oklahoma, for rations for General Nelson A. Miles' troops on duty in Texas. On the way, Indians attacked, and the longest . . . — — Map (db m153580) HM
On County Rd K, 12 miles west of U.S. 60, on the right when traveling south.
First post office in Hemphill County. Unique for tunnel from dugout home-store to corral.
On 1870's trail from Fort Elliott (35 miles, southwest) to Fort Supply, Indian Territory, to Fort Dodge, Kansas. Established by A. G. Springer; besides . . . — — Map (db m154132) HM
On North 7th Street at East Elsie Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North 7th Street.
This building, now a residence, was Canadian's first hospital, opened on June 16, 1917. Funds for construction were obtained by public subscription. Dr. H. C. Caylor, first owner, sold to Dr. L. V. Dawson in 1920. From 1924 to 1949, Dr. E. H. Morris . . . — — Map (db m55755) HM
Came to Canadian about 1884. Was foreman on Po Ranch prior to election as first sheriff of Hemphill County, 1887 - year city of Canadian was founded.
Nov. 23, 1894, in gun fight with 6 men attacking large shipment of money at Wells, Fargo & Co., . . . — — Map (db m93644) HM
On East Main Street at South 5th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
Only structure in the nation built, owned and still operated by a local chapter of Women's Christian Temperance Union. Built 1911, with financing and upkeep from annual bazaars held since 1906. Also, used by public library and civic groups. . . . — — Map (db m55753) HM
On Farm to Market Road 277, 0.5 miles east of U.S. 83, on the left when traveling east.
This community burial ground is the primary remaining historic evidence of the Washita community. Anglo pioneers began to settle the area in the late 1870s and early 1880s. As the community grew, members established a school, church, and a post . . . — — Map (db m93679) HM
