Coldwater, Texas ghost town, former Sherman County seat. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Coldwater was the former county seat of Sherman County although the town doesn't even appear on the Texas Department of Transportation's detailed county maps. Not even a cemetery.
When the county was organized in 1889 Coldwater, named after the creek of the same name, became the county seat. In 1890 the William B. Slaughter ranch (aka The Coldwater Cattle Company) was the only post office in Sherman County.
The following year a courthouse, jail, store and hotel were built.
The Sherman County Banner, started publishing in 1893 and a windmill and well-drilling company did business in Coldwater - for a time. When the railroad bypassed the town, Stratford became (1901) and has remained the county seat.
By 1904 the only business left was the store / post office which closed in 1907. The stone courthouse is no longer standing.
Sherman County Courthouse in Coldwater
" I enjoyed your article on Coldwater the former county seat of Sherman County, Texas. However I do need to make one correction. The original Court House was built of stone, not brick and it is not still standing. I'm not sure how long it did stand. I have a picture of the original court house, it is in our Sherman County Depot Museum. Thanks" - Ann Wells, Depot Museum Board member, December 05, 2007
1889 Sherman County Courthouse in Coldwater
Photo courtesy Ann Wells
This photo, taken in 1904, shows the Sherman County courthouse in the first county seat of Coldwater. Completed in August of 1890, it was built of rock and was 22' x 33'. The builder, J.M. Turner, is at the far right in this picture. The courthouse was used by the Baptist Church after the county seat was moved to Stratford in1901. - Terry Jeanson , March 2008
See Sherman County Courthouse - Stratford, Texas
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A Hotel in Coldwater, circa 1891Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
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The hotel boasted about:
"Bath upstairs and down
Hot and cold running water in all bedrooms
Electric lights
Thoroughly modern
"Nothing but the best for each and every guest."
1907 Sherman County postal map showing Coldwater
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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