Loop, Texas, Gaines County town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Joe Sherman is credited with being the first settler (1905), but previously a family named Quinn had been ranching in the area. The community was first called Blue Goose and there seems to be discrepancies over the date of the first post office. The explanation of the current name is said to have been the whim of the first postmaster who applied after the brand of the local ranch which was �O� or �loop.� The name was accepted in 1912 and the town was officially Loop. The town of Circle Back, Texas in Bailey County had a similar origin to their name.

The school also dates from 1912. Loop seems to have had a tranquil existence throughout the years, remaining small and avoiding major disasters. The population has remained at 315 from 1980 through 2000.

Gaines County 1907 postal map showing Loop
(NE of Seminole)
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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