Childress Texas, Childress County Seat. (original) (raw)
Childress, Texas 1890 City Map
Click on image to enlarge
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
History in a Pecan Shell
1886: Childress City and Henry were two towns only four miles apart.
1887: Childress County was organized and the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad arrived the same year. Childress City was declared county seat, but Henry contested and won. Henry then changed its name to Childress.
1888: the first newspaper (Childress County Index) is published
1890: town is incorporated
1904: homicide in a saloon brings about prohibition
1910: Population goes over 5,000
1905-1906: Walter Chrysler was foreman of the railroad roundhouse - he later founded Chrysler Motors.
1891: courthouse burns
1939: new permanent courthouse is built
1942: Childress Army Air Field is opened to train bombardiers and also serves as a prisoner of war camp.
1945: Base is deactivated and eventually becomes the municipal airport
Childress, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions
- Childress County Heritage Museum -
In former post office 3rd and C street - Baylor Creek Reservoir -
12 miles west of Childress on the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River - Childress Hotels
Historical Marker:
Childress Post Office Building
The Childress Post Office was established in 1887, and in 1935 this post office building was constructed on the site formely occupied by the First Methodist Church. Reflecting the Spanish Colonial style of architecture, it features round-arched windows, a parapet above the main entrance, a 7-bay facade, round transom, and decorative brickwork. In 1981, when the post office relocated, the building was purchased for use as a museum.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark-1991
"Friends don't let friends drink bad coffee!"
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2009
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"The Palace Theater, opened in 1921, remained in business until 1993." Photo courtesy Wes Reeves, 2005 |
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by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales")
In the spring of 1938, a cowboy on the dodge rode into the Panhandle railroad town of Childress.
A little short of cash, he approached Rufus Layton, manager of the Palace Theater, about doing some work for him. Layton jumped at the opportunity, offering him a healthy amount of money for Depression times - $100.
For that kind of money, this cowboy wouldn't be taking tickets or sweeping up stale popcorn. He'd be singing, playing a guitar and smiling big. Layton must have been smiling big, too, because the cowboy's name was Gene Autry. THE Gene Autry. ... more
Childress Hotels - Book Here
Childress Tourist Information
Childress Economic Development Corporation
888-235-2942, 940-937-8629
315 Commerce Street
PO Box 10, Childress, TX 79201
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