Site of Epworth. (1883 - 1892) First settlement in county. Established as a post office in 1884 by Horatio Graves of New York, a Methodist minister. Then only county resident, he planned to found religious colony here; named place for Epworth, England, birthplace of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Graves carried the mail from Estacado; also sold supplies to settlers and XIT Ranch cowboys. In 1891 he moved his post office several miles and started New Epworth; but drouth caused site to be abandoned in 1893. The residents joined with those of Hale City to found Hale Center. 1971 #4778