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CHANNING,
TEXAS
Hartley County
Seat, Texas Panhandle
US 385, FM 767 and Hwy 354
30 miles S of Dalhart
29 miles SW of Dumas
51 miles NW of Amarillo
35 miles N of Vega
Population: 277 (2000)
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Hartley
County jail in Channing
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2003 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally called Rivers, after a railroad paymaster, the name was
first rejected by postal authorities. The change (to George Channing
Rivers middle name) was made in 1888. Channing developed directly
from it's association with the XIT Ranch, the legendary property that
once included most of ten Panhandle counties.
The business district was platted in 1891, and Channing was general
headquarters of the ranch. When the wild and wooley town of Tascosa
was abandoned, several businesses moved to Channing. By 1900 Channing
had two general stores, one grocery and a school. Channing's fight
with Hartley for county seat status was bitter and it took two separate
elections to decide the matter. Finally in 1903 the frame courthouse
was pulled to Channing on wheels by mounted XIT cowboys. The courthouse
was later turned into a hotel when the brick courthouse was built
in 1906. Two years later a woman's club established a public library.
When the XIT was dissolved in 1911, it devastated the local economy
and in 1931, a fire destroyed much of downtown. By 1940 Channing's
population was 475 with a high school and five businesses. Postwar
mobility and the improved highways have drained Channings population
down to the current 277.
Hartley
County Courthouse - next page |
Channing
Texas Forum
Subject:
Another note on Channing
It's worth noting that Channing might be the least populated city
in Texas to maintain an independent K-12 school. Channing fields
a basketball and track team that always fares well, it is the highlight
of their town! As of 2001 Channing had at least 4-5 businesses.
There are at least 3 streets in Channing that Boys Ranch own, and
settle their employees there. - James Feagin, September 15, 2005
Anyone wishing to share stories or photos of
Channing, Texas - please contact
us
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