SPEARMAN,
TEXAS
Hansford County Seat, Texas Panhandle
State Hwy15, State Hwy 207
FM 759
89 miles NE of Amarillo
30 miles NE of Stinett
70 miles NW of
Pampa
26 miles SW of Perryton
12 miles E of Gruver
Population: 3,021 (2000) 3,197 (1990)
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Spearman was established in the 1920’s, when North Texas and Santa Fe Railroad built across Hansford County. The town was named for a railroad executive. Spearman is the county seat for Hansford County. Its industries include grain storage, shipping, gas, oil, refineries, irrigated farming and cattle.
Spearman, a proud and peaceful community of approximately 3,000 citizens, is located in Hansford County. Spearman, where the residents take great pride in the community and school, is a close-knit, conservative yet progressive community.
Spearman provides the small-town advantages of comfort and enjoyment and is a safe place to live as evidenced by the low crime rate. There are approximately 15 churches in the community, which demonstrates the strong emphasis its citizens place on family and religious values.
There are numerous opportunities for relaxation and recreation at the area’s hunting, fishing, and golfing facilities. Residents also enjoy the town’s lighted tennis courts and volleyball court, swimming pool, and eight parks.
These qualities teamed with warm, friendly, caring people make Spearman a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Items of interest are the site of the Battle of Adobe Walls, the Rolling Plains Mule Train Association, and the Stationmaster’s House Museum.
Battle of Adobe Walls - Site where two famous Indian battles were fought. Col. Kit Carson (in his last fight) and his U.S. troops in 1864 narrowly escaped defeat by Kiowa and Comanche Indians who had been molesting wagon trains and settlers. Ten years later, in 1874, Indians under Quanah Parker and Lone Wolf attacked buffalo hunters’ camp at a second battle of Adobe Walls near the first site. A fierce dawn attack opened the siege, and though the Indians were at first repulsed, the party of 28 men and one woman was surrounded, and it seemed only a matter of time before the superior number of Indians would prevail. On the second day a group of Cheyenne appeared on a high mesa overlooking the camp, setting the stage for William (Billy) Dixon’s famous shot. From within the stockade he shot an Indian from his horse at a distance approaching seven-eights of a mile. The Indians were so shocked at the white man’s shooting ability that they mounted only desultory attacks thereafter and soon withdrew. The site is south of Spearman, and historical markers are at the site.
Stationmaster’s House Museum - This complex includes a restored depot agent’s home; exhibits feature home life, and general history of Hansford County. Outdoor exhibits consist of farm machinery and an Indian sculpture which was carved by a chain saw from a dead elm tree.
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In May 1917, the town was laid out (and a post office
opened) in anticipation of the arrival of the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway.
The town was named for railroad vice president Thomas E. Spearman. Although the
railroad was delayed due to World War One, the town didn't let that interfere
with its growth.
By the time the railroad arrived
in late 1919, the town was well on its way. The town of Hansford, Texas, (6 miles
West) lost population and businesses to Spearman and more importantly, an election
(1929) deciding which town would be the county seat.
All that remains
of Hansford today is the cemetery which up until 1928 was the only cemetery in
the county.
The former Hansford County Courthouse (1889) in Hansford
was built of brick shipped in from Dodge City, Kansas - the main supply point
for the Northern Panhandle.
Spearman
incorporated in 1921 and lost much of its business district to fires in 1922 and
1924. By 1926 the population was a healthy 1,000 citizens.
In 1931,
the railroad extended to Morse and points southwest, ending Spearman's status
as the railroad's terminus. During the Great Depression, vacant lots in town were
planted in wheat.
In 1934, famed aviator Colonel Charles Lindbergh
and wife Ann Morrow stopped just outside of Spearman for fuel on a cross country
trip. Lindbergh, years earlier (1924) had crashed a plane into a hardware store
near Camp Wood, Texas (Real County) on a cross-country trip before becoming an air cadet in San Antonio.
The brief event received a historical marker that stands
today .4 miles South of 13th Ave and SH 207.
Spearman had a population
of 1,105 in 1940 and 4,000 in 1964. |
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