Parmerton, Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The town was given a name with the arrival of the Pecos Valley and Northern Texas Railroad in 1898. Originally known by the railroad�s designation of Parmer Switch, both town and county were named after Martin Parmer who was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

200 acres of land that had belonged to the XIT Ranch were surveyed and a one story wood frame courthouse was built at Parmerton Hill which was equidistant between Bovina and Friona. A post office opened in September of 1907 but closed eleven months later. Parmerton became Parmer County seat in May of 1907, but it wasn�t a popular decision. On December 10, 1907 a second election was held declaring Farwell the new seat of government. Parmerton didn�t have time to develop a town center, so there was little to move to Farwell save the residents.

Today only the historical marker and a railroad switch mark the town that never got a proper start.

Historical Marker: US 60, about 5.5 miles NE of Bovina

Site of Parmerton

Founded as Parmer Switch on Pecos & Northern Texas Railroad in 1898. In 1906, became site of a model farm. Using Campbell dry farming method, run by Capitol Freehold Land & Investment Company.

In 1907, Parmerton Townsite Company bought 200 acres of the farm and laid out a town, which was designed first county seat that same year. A post office was soon established.

When, in late 1907, Farwell was elected new county seat, Parmerton's citizens departed, taking homes and other buildings with them. Only the railroad switch marks the site today.

(1971)

Parmer County 1940s map showing Parmerton
between Friona and Bovina
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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