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History
in a Pecan Shell
Coldwater was the former county seat of Sherman County although the
town doesn't even appear on the Texas Department of Transportation's
detailed county maps. Not even a cemetery.
When the county was organized in 1889 Coldwater, named after the creek
of the same name, became the county seat. In 1890 the William B. Slaughter
ranch (aka The Coldwater Cattle Company) was the only post office
in Sherman County.
The following year a courthouse, jail, store and hotel were built.
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1889
Sherman County Courthouse in Coldwater
Photo courtesy Ann Wells |
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photo, taken in 1904, shows the Sherman County courthouse in the first
county seat of Coldwater. Completed in August of 1890, it was built
of rock and was 22' x 33'. The builder, J.M. Turner, is at the far
right in this picture. The courthouse was used by the Baptist Church
after the county seat was moved to Stratford in1901. - Terry
Jeanson , March 2008 |
The Sherman County Banner, started publishing in 1893 and a windmill
and well-drilling company did business in Coldwater - for a time.
When the railroad bypassed the town, Stratford
became (1901) and has remained the county seat.
By 1904 the only business left was the store / post office which closed
in 1907. The stone courthouse is no longer standing. |
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A Hotel in Coldwater, circa 1891
Photo
courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
The
hotel boasted about:
"Bath upstairs and down
Hot and cold running water in all bedrooms
Electric lights
Thoroughly modern
"Nothing but the best for each and every guest." |
Coldwater,
Texas Forum
Subject: Coldwater
City - Sherman County - Texas
I enjoyed your article on Coldwater the former county seat of Sherman
County, Texas. However I do need to make one correction. The original
Court House was built of stone, not brick and it is not still standing.
I'm not sure how long it did stand. I have a picture of the original
court house, it is in our Sherman County Depot Museum. Thanks - Ann
Wells, Depot Museum Board member, December 05, 2007 |
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