Bledsoe, Texas, Cochran County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Named after Samuel T. Bledsoe, an official of the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad. The railroad was responsible for the founding of the town when it laid tracks west of Lubbock in 1925, reaching Bledsoe on December 1st of that year. Although extension of the railroad into New Mexico never materialized, Bledsoe became a shipping point for area cattle ranches.
The first school was opened in 1925 and the Cochran County News started publication shortly thereafter. The population high-water mark was reached in 1929, when 400 people called Bledsoe home.
Although late to arrive on the scene, Bledsoe had everything a thriving community could need including an ice plant, movie theater, two hotels and four gas stations.
The population fell drastically during the Great Depression - reaching only 150 people by 1936. The population has remained steady at around 125 persons since the 1970s.
Photographer's Note:
"These photos pretty well tell the story of Bledsoe. Kind of sad." - Barclay Gibson, December 2008
A closed church in Bledsoe
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2008
Bledsoe School
Bledsoe is in the extreme southeastern part of Cochran County. The school was open from 1927-1996. The Robin Hood school finance laws killed it, as it was considered a wealthy district. A group of alumni bought the building, and are keeping it maintained. It is used for reunions and community events. - Stephen Taylor, Austin TX, October 08, 2008
Bledsoe School architectural detail
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2008
Bledsoe, Texas Forum
Subject: Bledsoe, Texas
Of course, you will note my last name from my e-mail, and realize that there is a connection. More than fifteen years ago I completed the Bledsoe family tree, which by most accounts, traces all Bledsoes back to George Bledsoe, who migrated from Birmingham, England, to SW Virginia, in 1655.
From my work I knew of the small town in Texas by the name of Bledsoe. My tree, Levi Bledsoe, is the second generation that also saw Anthony and Isaac move over to Tn. There are many things in Tn. named after the Bledsoes, including Bledsoe County, Bledsoe State Forest, and Bledsoe's Salt Lick, just to name a few. The Texas Bledsoes came out of the Tn. clan, when I do not know. I have spoken with Drew Bledsoe's(NFL QB) father, and I know that his grandfather is a retired admiral and lives in Texas. They came out of the Texas Bledsoes.
Now, the surprise that I got on Sat. was when I started reading a book about the famous Chuck Wagon Gang, and noted in the first chapter that they spent a lot of time in Bledsoe, Texas. In fact, most of the children went to school there. I was in Arizona two years ago visiting in the Sierra Vista area, near the border with Mexico, and decided to visit a bird sanctuary while there, named The Ramsey Canyon Preserve. As I read a flyer that I had picked up regarding the history of the preserve, I noted that the property had been donated by a Dr. Nelson C. Bledsoe, a prominent Tucson surgeon, in 1974. Considering that there are only some 25,000 Bledsoes, the name shows up in lots of places.
Even so, I was totally surprised to see the town of Bledsoe show up in the history of the Carter family, who made up the Chuck Wagon Gang that still exist some 70+ years later. I am guessing that with nine children in that family, that there are descendants still living in Bledsoe, Texas, probably more Carters than Bledsoes. - Otis N. Bledsoe, June 26, 2005
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