Texas & Pacific Railway

Railroad made this "Cattle Capital of West Texas" in 1880s. Cattlemen Frank Byler, Clay Mann, Winfield Scott, C.C. Slaughter and others brought herds here early as 1877, when last of the buffalo were being exterminated. A Texas Ranger unit was stationed in area to guard against straggling Indians. After Texas & Pacific locators staked course through this valley, rancher George Waddell persuaded A.W. Dunn of Coleman to build a store here. Lumber came by wagon from Round Rock (about 300 mi. SE), and was sparingly used. Store had tarpaulin roof, dirt floor, and was opened in late summer 1880. Soon two saloons were also in business. Railroaders--including bridge crew of A.J. Coe--arrived in the fall. By April 16, 1881, when the Texas & Pacific initiated train service to this site, some 350 people lived here in tents and dugouts, and had a newly organized county government, a school, post office and newspaper. This was terminus for months, while river bridge was being built. Then and until late 80s, this was shipping point for such remote places as ranches of Charles Goodnight and the XIT, near present Amarillo. The T. & P. freighted in tons of windmills and barbed wire, shipped out thousands of cattle--giving this city renown. (1970)

Texas & Pacific Railway is a historical marker in Colorado City, Mitchell County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 38 historical markers documented in Mitchell County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 55 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3896, -100.8649 near Colorado City. The nearest cataloged historic site is Scott-Majors House (historic place), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Colorado Opera House, Buffalo Trails, and Coleman, Dr. Preston C.; Physician and Leader (1853-1932).

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5335000210. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.