Ochiltree Townsite, Bordering this Highway

(Bordering this highway) This county was created in 1876 and named for noted Texas jurist William Beck Ochiltree (1811-1867). In 1876 it was attached for judicial purposes to Clay and later to Wheeler County. In 1886 pioneers began to settle in dugouts here on the prairies near Wolf Creek, saying they lived "in Ochiltree." For convenience in making land and tax transactions, and establishing law and order, they organized the county in 1889, making their village the county seat. First elected officials were William J. Todd, county judge; Dave C. Kettell, sheriff and tax collector; George M. Perry, county clerk; Myrtle L. Daily, treasurer. In 1891 a 2-story courthouse was built (100 yds E) of lumber freighted from Dodge City, Kans. This also served as church, schoolhouse, and social hall for the town. By 1903, Ochiltree had 600 people, churches, a high school, a newspaper, bank, flour mill, and other facilities. In 1919, the Santa Fe Railway founded a new town between Ochiltree and Gray, Okla., and induced people from both places to relocate by offering free lots. In 1919 steam engines and heavy equipment hauled the improvements from Ochiltree to the new site (8 mi. N), called Perryton, in honor of veteran county official George M. Perry. (1976)

Ochiltree Townsite, Bordering this Highway is a historical marker in Perryton, Ochiltree County, dedicated in 1976. It is one of 10 historical markers documented in Ochiltree County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 13 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 36.2809, -100.8114 near Perryton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Ochiltree Cemetery (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Ochiltree Cemetery, Talley, James Sidney, and Site of the Trading Post.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5357003663. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.