|
 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
The name is from
the Spur Ranch, which was bought and broken up in 1907 - shortly
before the Burlington Railroad had proposed a railway line from Stamford.
The manager of the Spur interests (the town's name had already been
chosen) convinced the railroad it needed to go through what would
become Spur. The railroad was convinced and on November 1, 1909 -
the town opened as the railroad pulled in.
The Spur Inn housed visitors to the town and the first newspaper,
The Texas Spur gave them something to read. The school was started
in 1909 as well, but the town didn't incorporate until 1911.
Spur had 47 businesses in 1980 which is considerably less than the
110 reported in 1940. Texas A&M University operates an agricultural
experimental station at Spur. It is the largest town in the county
- eclipsing the county seat of Dickens
with it's population of 300. |
Historical Marker:
on FM 2794 at western city limits, Spur (school grounds near business
parking) (entrance to Ag Substation)
Texas Agricultural
Experiment Station at Spur
Authorized by the
Texas Legislature in 1909, seven agricultural experiment stations
were established in the state. Providing facilities for agricultural
scientists to develop information and procedures and solutions to
regional agricultural problems, the stations and their programs ultimately
affected agricultural methodology far beyond regional boundaries.
Known as the Rolling Plains Experiment Station or Substation No. 7,
the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Spur opened at this site
in December 1909. Land was provided by the S. M. Swenson and Sons
Land and Cattle Company. Soil and water conservation programs were
developed, including a system of terracing called "Syrup Pan." Providing
full use of rainfall and diverted water, the system resulted in vastly
improved crop yields. Other programs at this station included the
drafting of legislation which resulted in the establishment of the
U.S. Soil Conservation Service; brush control using chemical, mechanical,
and biological methods; and livestock breeding and nutrition experiments.
Although this station was officially closed in 1986, results of the
research conducted here are still influencing agricultural programs
worldwide.
1989 |
Spur, Texas
Attractions & Landmarks
|
Photographer's
Note:
There is more to Spur than meets the eye. Even its abandoned buildings
are stately. The collapsed roofs have been removed and the trash cleaned
out from inside. The shells still stand in their elegance of the past.
Very interesting. - Barclay
Gibson |
"The hotel
was owned and run by my grandparents. My grandfather was Dr. R. L
Alexander. He was the country doctor for all of that area. One of
his son's, Dr. Bob Alexander also practiced in Spur for many years
until his death. In all, the Alexanders had 8 children. 7 boys and
1 girl. Three of the sons were physicians. One son was the postmaster
in nearby Jayton. Dr.
Alexander's clinic was located directly across the street from the
hotel. Just thought you might be interested in a little background
of the building and Spur." - Mike Alexander
More "Rooms
with a Past" |
Dixie Dog Borden's
Ice Cream Neon Sign
Jimmy
Dobson Photo, June 2017 |
Texas
Centennial Marker on CR 384. Spur Cemetery, local road of Hwy 70,
1/4 miles E of Spur city limits
Photos courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2009 |
Mackenzie
Trail by Clay Coppedge
"The best of what's left of the Mackenzie Trail today is probably
on private property. You're near it when you're at the intersection
of U.S. 277 and Texas 6 in Stamford,
where a monument tells you the trail ran a little north of there.
The trail also ran between Dickens
and Spur, so when you're on parts of U.S. Highway 82 from Dickens
to Lubbock you're probably
following Mackenzie's path pretty closely." - Read
full article |
Spur, Texas
Forum
Subject: Wacker's
store
Does anyone remember the Wacker's store in Spur TX?
Michael Stanley, November 30, 2020 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
