Channing Texas, Hartley County Seat. (original) (raw)
Hartley County Seat, Texas Panhandle
35�41'1"N 102�19'55"W (35.683612, -102.331817)
US 385, FM 767 and Hwy 354
30 miles S of Dalhart
29 miles SW of Dumas
51 miles NW of Amarillo
35 miles N of Vega
ZIP code 79018
Area code 806
Population: 281 (2020)
363 (2010) 356 (2000) 277 (1990)
"Channing City Limit. Pop. 356"
"Historical Markers in City"
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
History in a Pecan ShellOriginally called Rivers, after a railroad paymaster, the name was first rejected by postal authorities. The change (to George Channing Rivers middle name) was made in 1888. Channing developed directly from its association with the XIT Ranch, the legendary property that once included most of ten Panhandle counties.
The business district was platted in 1891, and Channing was general headquarters of the ranch. When the wild and wooley town of Tascosa was abandoned, several businesses moved to Channing. By 1900 Channing had two general stores, one grocery and a school. Channing's fight with Hartley for county seat status was bitter and it took two separate elections to decide the matter. Finally in 1903 the frame courthouse was pulled to Channing on wheels by mounted XIT cowboys. The courthouse was later turned into a hotel when the brick courthouse was built in 1906. Two years later a woman's club established a public library.
When the XIT was dissolved in 1911, it devastated the local economy and in 1931, a fire destroyed much of downtown. By 1940 Channing's population was 475 with a high school and five businesses. Postwar mobility and the improved highways have drained Channings population down to the current 281.
Hartley County jail in Channing
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, March 2008
The Current Hartley County Jail
"The current Hartley County jail was built in 1906, at the same time as the current courthouse and with the same materials. It is still in use today.
The privately owned 1892 brick and sandstone jail in the first county seat of Hartley also still stands." -
Terry Jeanson, March, 2008
Railroad Avenue - Downtown Channing
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
Channing Texas Forum
- Subject: Another note on Channing
It's worth noting that Channing might be the least populated city in Texas to maintain an independent K-12 school. Channing fields a basketball and track team that always fares well, it is the highlight of their town! As of 2001 Channing had at least 4-5 businesses. There are at least 3 streets in Channing that Boys Ranch own, and settle their employees there. - James Feagin, September 15, 2005
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.