Spur, Texas, Dickens County. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
The name is from the Spur Ranch, which was bought and broken up in 1907 - shortly before the Burlington Railroad had proposed a railway line from Stamford. The manager of the Spur interests (the town's name had already been chosen) convinced the railroad it needed to go through what would become Spur. The railroad was convinced and on November 1, 1909 - the town opened as the railroad pulled in.
The Spur Inn housed visitors to the town and the first newspaper, The Texas Spur gave them something to read. The school was started in 1909 as well, but the town didn't incorporate until 1911.
Spur had 47 businesses in 1980 which is considerably less than the 110 reported in 1940. Texas A&M University operates an agricultural experimental station at Spur. It is the largest town in the county - eclipsing the county seat of Dickens with it's population of 300.
Historical Marker: on FM 2794 at western city limits, Spur (school grounds near business parking) (entrance to Ag Substation)
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Spur
Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1909, seven agricultural experiment stations were established in the state. Providing facilities for agricultural scientists to develop information and procedures and solutions to regional agricultural problems, the stations and their programs ultimately affected agricultural methodology far beyond regional boundaries. Known as the Rolling Plains Experiment Station or Substation No. 7, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Spur opened at this site in December 1909. Land was provided by the S. M. Swenson and Sons Land and Cattle Company. Soil and water conservation programs were developed, including a system of terracing called "Syrup Pan." Providing full use of rainfall and diverted water, the system resulted in vastly improved crop yields. Other programs at this station included the drafting of legislation which resulted in the establishment of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service; brush control using chemical, mechanical, and biological methods; and livestock breeding and nutrition experiments. Although this station was officially closed in 1986, results of the research conducted here are still influencing agricultural programs worldwide.
1989
Spur, Texas
Attractions & Landmarks
Photographer's Note:
There is more to Spur than meets the eye. Even its abandoned buildings are stately. The collapsed roofs have been removed and the trash cleaned out from inside. The shells still stand in their elegance of the past. Very interesting. - Barclay Gibson
"The hotel was owned and run by my grandparents. My grandfather was Dr. R. L Alexander. He was the country doctor for all of that area. One of his son's, Dr. Bob Alexander also practiced in Spur for many years until his death. In all, the Alexanders had 8 children. 7 boys and 1 girl. Three of the sons were physicians. One son was the postmaster in nearby Jayton. Dr. Alexander's clinic was located directly across the street from the hotel. Just thought you might be interested in a little background of the building and Spur." - Mike Alexander
More "Rooms with a Past"
Dixie Dog Borden's Ice Cream Neon Sign
Jimmy Dobson Photo, June 2017
Texas Centennial Marker on CR 384. Spur Cemetery, local road of Hwy 70, 1/4 miles E of Spur city limits
Photos courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
Mackenzie Trailby Clay Coppedge
"The best of what's left of the Mackenzie Trail today is probably on private property. You're near it when you're at the intersection of U.S. 277 and Texas 6 in Stamford, where a monument tells you the trail ran a little north of there. The trail also ran between Dickens and Spur, so when you're on parts of U.S. Highway 82 from Dickens to Lubbock you're probably following Mackenzie's path pretty closely." - Read full article
Spur, Texas Forum
Subject: Wacker's store
Does anyone remember the Wacker's store in Spur TX?
Michael Stanley, November 30, 2020
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