Aberdeen, Texas, Collingsworth County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Aberdeen, named for the Earl of the same name, was, in the late 1880s, the headquarters of a division of the English-owned Rocking Chair Ranche. In 1889 a post office opened and being severely short of �civilians,� a ranch foreman became the first postmaster.

In 1890, the year Collingworth County was organized, the Aberdeen Townsite Company was formed and a blacksmith and hotel opened for business. The following year the first store opened, operated by Judge Edward H. Small, In addition to his storekeeping duties, Small was also a doctor and banker.

Seeing that Aberdeen was in place before the county was organized, it seemed a natural choice for county seat, but the first vote was between the town of Pearl and Wellington.

That vote was declared void by the Texas Supreme Court and Aberdeen went about making itself a suitable contender before the next election. The English Ranch owners did their part. Lots were sold, a grocery opened and a school was financed (but not yet built).

Wellington won the election and the vanquished town reverted back to Rocking Chair ownership by June of 1891.

The story wasn�t over yet. The ranch became insolvent around 1900 and the land put up for sale. Potential settlers found the town too isolated and the population became stagnant.

Aberdeen did survive for a time. During WWII the post office closed. From 1930 to 1960 the community maintained a population of 25 with a store, church and school, however by 1963 it had become a ghost.