Wheeler, Texas, Wheeler County Seat. (original) (raw)

Wheeler County Seat, Texas Panhandle

35� 26' 43" N, 100� 16' 15" W (35.445278, -100.270833)

US 83 and State Hwy 152
12 miles W of the Texas-Oklahoma states' line
27 miles S of Canadian
16 miles N of Shamrock
100 miles E of Amarillo
11 miles E of Mobeetie
ZIP code 79096
Area code 806
Population: 1,477 Est. (2019)
1,592 (2010) 1,378 (2000) 1,393 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Wheeler Hotels

Wheeler History "Both the town and the county were named after Royal T. Wheeler. The vicinity was first settled by ranchers as early as 1881, and by 1886 five families lived there. The town had its real beginning in 1904 through the enterprise of two ranchers, Robert B. Rogers and J. E. Stanley, who surveyed the land, built their homes on the site, and began the movement to choose a centrally located county seat in preference to Mobeetie. ..." From Handbook of Texas Online Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.

Downtown Wheeler in the 1940s
Photo courtesy Regina Barker

Wheeler, Texas

Landmarks & Attractions

Historical Marker

Wheeler County Jail

Built 1909 after county seat moved from historic Old Mebeetie. First sheriff, M. V. Sanders; jailer, J. M. Kezee. Built of concrete and steel. Used 20 years with only 1 prisoner escaping. Now used for library, museum and county offices.
(Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965)

Wheeler County Jail
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo Courtesy Erik Whetstone, 9-01

Mobeetie Jail Museum
In the restored jail in Mobeetie, 11 miles west on Hwy 152

People
Nov. 19, 1969 - Cartoon by Roger T. Moore
Alan Bean of Wheeler becomes the 1st Texan to walk on the moon.

Wheeler Chamber of Commerce
101 W. Oklahoma Ave Wheeler, Tx. 79096
806-826-3408

Wheeler County 1940s map
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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.