Texas Historical Marker #00757
Castro County. Formed from Young and Bexar Territories, created August 21, 1876, organized December 8, 1891. Named in honor of Henri Castro 1786-1861. A distinguished pioneer and colonizer of Texas. Founder of the towns of Castroville, Quihi, Vandenburg and D'Hans in Medina County. Dimmitt, The County Seat. 1964 #757
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02185
Gilbreath-Cowsert House. Tennessee native Jeff T. Gilbreath moved his family to this area in 1905. The owner of a local mercantile store, he built this house in 1909. He sold it in 1910 to county attorney Mark Cowsert, whose family lived here until 1912. The house changed ownership a number of times before the Castro County Museum purchased it in 1976. A fine example of early 20th century vernacular housing, it features a bay window and hipped roof with gables. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1991 #2185
404 West Halsell Street, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04689
Shoot-out on Jones Street. At an 1891 meeting to discuss the selection of a Castro County seat, words were exchanged between Ira Aten, a retired Texas Ranger speaking on behalf of Castro City, and Andrew McClelland, a spokesman for Dimmitt. The inflammatory remarks led to a gunfight between the two men on December 23, five days after Dimmitt was chosen county seat. In an exchange of shots in the middle of Jones Street, Aten wounded Andrew McClelland and his brother Hugh. Aten was acquitted of the assault charges and a short time later was appointed Castro County sheriff. (1983) #4689
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05019
Spring Lake Pasture Division of the XIT Ranch. Encompassing land in ten counties of the Texas Panhandle. The XIT Ranch was established through the exchange of public lands to finance construction of the state capitol. In 1887, it was divided into seven divisions, the largest of which, the Spring Lake pasture division, covered parts of Parmer, Castro, Bailey, and Lamb counties. Its northern boundary line, near this site, ran across what is now U.S. Highway 385. Noted for breeding Hereford cattle, the Spring Lake division also served as an election polling place for citizens in Castro, Bailey, and Lamb counties. (1991) #5019
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03902
P.O.W. Camp Chapel. This chapel is one of the few physical reminders of the days this site served as an Italian prisoner of war camp during World War II. The prisoners, several of them fine artisans and craftsmen, designed and built the chapel, crafting the concrete building to resemble marble. Completed in 1945, the chapel stands as a memorial to the five Italians who died while interned at the camp. A restoration project, begun in 1987, was completed in 1989. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992 #3902
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00758
Castro County Courthouses. This site was set aside as the Dimmitt town square in 1891, the year Castro County was formally organized. Temporary court facilities were set up in J. N. Morrison's office while the first courthouse was built. An ornate two-story structure, it burned in 1906 after being hit by lighting. A brick courthouse with a central dome, built in 1908, was dedicated at a community picnic. It served until the 1930s, but was razed to make room for the present stone building. Built with Works Progress Administration labor, Castro County's third courthouse opened in 1939. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #758
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05146
Summerfield-Dameron Corner. In 1876, English native John Summerfield (1885-1918) began his work locating and surveying millions of acres of land in present-day Randall, Deaf Smith, Castro and Swisher counties. One of the earth monuments he erected that year was located near this site and became a starting point for surveys in many Panhandle counties. In 1925, a group of Castro County citizens placed a concrete monument at the site, which had become known as Dameron's Corner after a local landowner. The monument was buried in 1958 when a road was cut through the area. (1985) #5146
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05360
The J. W. Carter Family and the 7-Up Ranch. The first permanent settlers in Castro County, the James W. Carter family moved to this area in 1884. A tent and dugout served as home until a house was constructed (100 yards west). Their cattle, which they brought with them, were marked with the 7-UP brand. Their daughter Lizzie (b. 1886) was the first white child born to a permanent settler in the area. James Carter (1845-1916) was instrumental in the organization of the Castro County government in 1891 and served on the first commissioners court. Carter and his wife Ellen (1855-1942) later opened a hotel in Dimmitt. (1981) 12" x 6" Supplemental Plaque below: J. W. Carter owned land at this site. His home was located 1/2 mile southwest of here. #5360
?, Dimmitt, TX, United States