OLTON, TEXAS

Lamb County, Texas Panhandle / West Texas

34°11'00"N 102°08'05"W (34.1834142 -102.1346258)
Highway 70 and FM 168
20 Miles NE of Littlefield the county seat
About 25 Miles W of Plainview
Population: 2,215 (2010) 2,288 (2000) 2,116 (1990)

Olton, Texas Area Hotels:
Littlefield Hotels | Plainview Hotels

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

History in a Pecan Shell

Olton was the first town in Lamb County and as such became the first county seat when the county was organized in 1908.

Initial settlement occured around 1900 on a piece of state land. The C. C. Slaughter ranch occupied most of surrunding property. Three miles from the present town, one A. B. Powell opened a store and post office in 1903. The name is said to come from Mr. Powell's son or a preacher. After several changes in location, the the post office settled at the home of T. F. Brown on the old Slaughter ranch. The 1910 population was 75 which increased to 300 by 1930 and 782 in 1940.

Throughout the short history of Lamb County, nearby Littlefield was vying for the title of county seat. Elections were held in 1929, 1932, 1937 and 1946, when Littlefield finally won. (See First Lamb County Courthouse in Olton)

In spite of the setback which has historically sent other towns into oblivion, Olton surprised everyone with growth. By 1960 the town had nearly 2,000 people. In 1970 there were 78 businesses servicing the needs of 1,782 and the last figure available was the 2010 census figure of 2,215.

Olton, Texas Landmarks

Roxy Theatre, Olton Bright Spot
Photo courtesy Rick Vanderpool, 2010

Roxy Theatre Ticket Booth
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009
More Texas Theatres

Olton Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009
More Texas Churches

Cotton Gin
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

Scale House
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

Olton Tx Cotton Gin Scale House and Mill

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009
More on Cotton & Texas Cotton Gins

Former Lamb County Courthouse, Olton, Texas

The 1922 Lamb County Courthouse in Olton. Torn down in 1964.
1939 photo courtesy of TXDoT

Lamb County Courthouse historical marker, Olton Texas

Lamb County Courthouse historical marker, which sits on the corner of the empty lot where the 1908 and the 1922 courthouses once stood.

Photo Courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2007

Photographer's Note:
"The city secretary at the Olton City Hall confirmed what I had read in "Wanted : Historic County Jails of Texas" by Edward A. Blackburn, Jr. The 1922 courthouse was remodeled in 1949 and served as a hospital. It was torn down in 1964." - Terry Jeanson , March 11, 2007

Photo Courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2007

Photo Courtesy Terry Jeanson, February 2007

Olton Tx Home of Racing Hall of Famer Carl Nafzger

Welcome to Olton
Home of Racing Hall of Famer Carl Nafzger
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

Olton City Limit Pop 2288
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009

Native Son

Jimmy Dean

Take a road trip

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