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History in
a Pecan Shell
Follet burst into life in 1917 when it was made a stop on the North Texas and
Santa Fe Railway. Santa Fe official Thomas C. Spearman is given credit for the
idea.
It was named to honor Horace Follett, a railroad engineer. The town
virtually blossomed overnight. Like Booker,
Texas, Follett was populated by Oklahomans who crossed the state line, proving
that commerce will trump state loyalty any day.
It acquired its post office
that same year (1917) and by the time the 1920 census came around – there were
550 residents – most of them former Oklahomans.
The town was given the
slogan "Gateway to the Golden Spread" since it had become a wheat and grain
storage / distribution center – through the efforts of the Farmer's Grain Cooperative.
The
population had grown to 431 by 1940 when it had 30 businesses.
Modern irrigation
has helped local agriculture and the town had 37 businesses in 1980. The population
peaked that year with a reported population of 547 which has declined to 412 for
the 2000 census.
See Follett Historical
Marker
Follett,
Texas Today |
 |
Photographer's Note:
Follett
was a pleasant surprise. Lots to see when you look around. - Barclay
Gibson |
Historical
Marker Text FOLLETTA
gateway to Texas Panhandle's
"Golden Spread". Founded as "Ivanhoe", on a site across state line, in
Oklahoma.
Town moved twice to locate on a railroad.
Situated here in 1917, and renamed for Horace Follett, railroad surveyor. Economy
based on wheat, cattle, grain sorghums
and (since 1950's) oil and gas production.
(1967) |
1920
Lipscomb County map showing Follett
(Above "M" in "LIPSCOMB")
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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