Donley County Historical
Markers
Boydstun Cemetery
Marker Location: From Clarendon, take S.H. 70 about 20 miles
north
Year Marker Erected: 1988
Marker Text: Pioneer area settler Henry S. Boydstun (1858-1942),
a native of Illinois, moved his family to this area in 1890. That
year, his infant son, Eddie, died and was buried in the southwest
corner of the family farm. In 1898, Boydstun deeded two acres at
the site for use as a public burial ground.
A small farming community that developed near there included a
school and, from 1891-1940, a post office (listed as Boydston).
Although Boydstun deeded land for the cemetery, he and his wife,
Mary (d.1950), were interred in nearby town of Groom. (1988)
Church of St. John Baptist
Marker Location: At intersection of 3rd & Parks, Clarendon
Year Marker Erected: 1971
Marker Text: Oldest church continuously in use (in earliest
Episcopal parish) in the Texas Panhandle. The first services were
held by the Rev. Mr. Townsend of Dallas Diocese in the J. B.
McClelland Ranch house, Nov. 1877. On site given 1891 by Isaac W.
Carhart, building was erected in 1893.
A donor, Mrs. Elizabeth Goff of Philadelphia, chose the name. The
church was consecrated April 24, 1893, by Bishop A. C. Garrett.
First Vicar: the Rev. W. D. Sartwell, 1890-93. Recorded Texas
Historic Landmark-1971
Clarendon Cemetery, Clarendon
Marker Location: From Clarendon, take S.H. 70 about 1 mile south
to Citizens' Cemetery; marker near road in southwest corner of
cemetery
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Text: In this first cemetery of Donley County, sixteen
rods west lie the first dead of Old Clarendon. Here white
civilization sank its roots in sadness and from the graves in
this sacred acre strong pioneer spirits turned to face the future
with greater love for the land and a firmer determination to
build for a tomorrow which we know today.
To those of the Old Clarendon Colony who first found rest on this
bold promontory and to their survivors, this stone of
imperishable Texas granite is loyally and lovingly dedicated.
Erected by the State of Texas, July 4, 1938
Donley County, Clarendon
Marker Location: In roadside park, at intersection of U.S. 287
& S.H. 70 on west side of Clarendon
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Text: Formed from Young and Bexar territories; Created
August 21, 1876; Organized March 22, 1882; Named in honor of
Stockton P. Donley 1821-1871; a Confederate officer elected to
the Texas Supreme Bench in 1866; Clarendon, the County Seat.
Donley County Courthouse,
Clarendon
Description: The Donley County Courthouse, designed by C. H.
Bulger and Isaac Hamilton Rapp in the Romanesque Revival style,
was constructed in 1891. The courthouse plan is unusual in Texas
but conforms to conventions followed by other architects.
Substantial Modifications: -1904: installation of electric lights
inside the courthouse. -1905: window screens installed. -1907:
roof replacement/repair by Phillips Casy Roofing Co. of Dallas.
-1908: sidewalks installed on the square. -1921: steam heat
installed, fireplaces.
First United Methodist Church of
Clarendon
Marker Location: 420 S. Jefferson Street, Clarendon
Year Marker Erected: 1978
Marker Text: When the Rev. Lewis H. Carhart, a Methodist
minister, founded Clarendon, he envisioned it as a religious and
educational center. The town was established in 1878 near the
junction of Carroll Creek and the Salt Fork of the Red River, six
miles north of its present location. Local cowboys nicknamed the
settlement "Saint's Roost" because it had no saloons.
The first building erected was a combination church and school.
Until the turn-of-the-century, there was a Northern Methodist
Church in the community. When the railroad arrived in 1887,
Clarendon moved to its present site. The Rev. James T. Hosmer, a
circuit rider, conducted Methodist services in private homes. In
1888 the Rev. Isaac L. Mills and 15 charter members organized the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1890 the fellowship erected a frame church building on the
southeast corner of Kearney and 4th Street. Membership increased
significantly after the founding in 1898 of Clarendon Methodist
College, forerunner of Clarendon Junior College. To accommodate
the growing congregation, this large classical revival structure
was built in 1910, during the pastorate of the Rev. O. P. Kiker.
The original roof was replaced in 1950. (1978)
James T. Patman, Clarendon
Marker Location: From Clarendon, take S.H. 70 about 1 mile south
to cemetery; marker located in cemetery about .2 mile east on
first driveway past main gate
Year Marker Erected: 1968
Marker Text: Outstanding peace officer. Sheriff of Donley County,
Nov. 1905 to Jan. 1, 1916 - era when large ranches were being
subdivided into farms. Born in Sulphur Springs. Was a Methodist.
Married Allie Graves. Had a son and daughter. Died in Clarendon.
Recorded, 1968
Old Mobeetie Trail
Marker Location: NOT LOCATED - S.H. 70, north of Clarendon
Marker Text: (to early town, about 40 mi. NE) A road older than
recorded history; carved out in centuries of wintertime travel to
the south, spring migration to the north, by millions of bison
and by Indians who lived by hunting these large animals.
Important in era of Texas Panhandle settlement.
Used in 1873-1874, when first lifelong residents put dugout
dwellings in the Panhandle and began to hunt buffalo to fill
demand for hides and meat. Fort Elliott, established 1875 to
regulate Indians resisting white settlement, soon had as a
neighbor the town of Mobeetie, which for some years was the
county seat for 28 counties and a place to go for medical aid,
supplies, and access to stage travel.
In 1876 Kansans came this way south for better hunting, calling
this "Rath Trail," for their leader. Also, in 1876
cattlemen began to bring herds here. By 1880 this ancient path
was a southern arm of Jones and Plummer Trail, over which cowboys
moved longhorns to railroads and northern cattle markets.
Beginning about 1887 the Mobeetie Trail was used by
"nesters" taking up farm lands alongside the old great
ranches. Those it served founded and expanded
agricultural-commercial economy of the Panhandle.
Replica of First Donley County
Courthouse
Marker Location: MARKER IS MISSING!
Marker Text: Soon after founding in 1878 of Clarendon Colony by
the Rev. Lewis H. Carhart, workers were brought from Vermont to
quarry local stone and erect 2-story structure for hotel,
stagecoach stand, and public meeting hall. With organization of
Donley County, April 11, 1882, Clarendon was named county seat.
The hotel became (and remained for years) the first courthouse--
and third courthouse in entire Panhandle of Texas. It served
settlers in an 8,000 square mile area, since eight unorganized
counties were for years attached for judicial purposes to Donley
County. (1967)
S.W. Lowe House
Marker Location: 507 W. 5th Street, Clarendon
Year Marker Erected: 1982
Marker Text: Local merchants J. G. and F. D. Martin built this
house in 1904. Rancher James M. Calhoun owned the property from
1910 to 1914 and cattleman Robert H. Muir from 1914 to 1926.
Muir sold the residence in 1926 to Sam W. Lowe, a college
educator, merchant, stock farmer, and civic and church leader who
served three terms as Donley County judge. Lowe died in 1968, but
his wife of 53 years, Lilac, continued to occupy the house until
1981. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1982
Saints' Roost Museum, Clarendon
Museum Name: Saints' Roost Museum
Mailing Address: P O Box 781
City: Clarendon
Zip code: 79226
Street Address: Highway 70 South
Area Code: 806
Phone: 874-2746
Original Purpose: Jail, Depot, Hotel, House, Courthouse, Library,
Mission, School, Theater, Post Office, Military Fort, Bank, Fire
Station, Multiple Buildings, Hospital
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Science, Art, Military, Aviation,
Natural History, Archeology, Interactive, Photos, Historical,
Local/Pioneer History, Archives
Educational Programs: Guided Tours, Self-guided tours, Traveling
Trunks, Films, Museum Classes, School Tours, Hands-on Activities
for Children, Lectures, Demonstrations, Living History Programs,
Intrepretive Drama, School/Museum Cooperative Curriculum, Special
Programs/Accomodations for Disabled Visitors
Stockton P. Donley, Clarendon
Marker Location: Located at northeast corner of Courthouse
Square, Clarendon
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Text: Star and Wreath County named honor Texas Confederate
officer (1821 - 1871) Came to Texas from Kentucky 1846. District
Attorney 1853. Enlisted private 7th Texas Infantry 1861. Made
Lieutenant. Captured with regiment after bitter fight at Seige
Fort Donelson Tennesse 1862.
Prisoner war 9 months Camp Douglas, Illionios. When exchanged
health so broken assigned post duty. Elected to State Supreme
Court 1866. Because of Confederate service was removed 1867 by
U.S. Military order. A memorial to Texans who served the
Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963
Texas Historical Commission
http://www.thc.state.tx.us/
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