Historic Courthouse

Dallam County Courthouse

Texline, Texas

Built in 1891 and contractor W. M. Andrews and R. J. Tofflemire.

$2,664, building was reportedly still standing in 1970, two story, wood frame.

The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) nationally recognized and award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun restoring these treasured historic landmarks. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today more than 240 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

law courthouses buildings
The city of Austin, the state capital, is known as the live music capital of the world. It is home to many music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Texas random facts
Dallam County, Texas, located in the northwestern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa. These tribes hunted and roamed the land, leaving behind artifacts and evidence of their presence.

The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the region in the 16th century, but it was not until the mid-19th century that the area began to see permanent settlement. In 1876, Dallam County was officially established, named after James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and early settler in the area. The county seat, Dalhart, was incorporated in 1901.

The late 19th century saw the arrival of cattle ranchers, drawn by the open range land and abundant grazing opportunities. The XIT Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the world, operated in Dallam County from 1885 until 1912. The ranch brought economic prosperity to the area, but also led to conflicts with Native American tribes and tensions with neighboring counties.

With the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, Dalhart experienced a boost in development and became an important transportation hub for the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat farming, also became a significant part of the local economy. Dallam County has since continued to thrive as a rural community, with a mix of agricultural and oil production, as well as a growing tourism industry due to its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Dallam County, Texas.

  • 1876 - Dallam County is officially established on August 21.
  • 1898 - Dalhart, the county seat, is founded as a railroad town.
  • 1901 - The first post office opens in Dalhart.
  • 1908 - XIT Ranch, one of the largest ranches in Texas, is divided and sold for settlement.
  • 1909 - Dalhart becomes an incorporated city.
  • 1910 - Dallam County builds its first courthouse, a two-story brick building.
  • 1920s - Agriculture becomes a prominent industry in the area, with wheat and cattle being major contributors to the local economy.
  • 1931 - The Dalhart Army Air Base is established during World War II.
  • 1942 - The Dallam-Hartley Electric Cooperative is formed to bring electricity to rural areas of the county.
  • 1960s - Manufacturing and industrial development begin to grow in Dalhart.
  • 1972 - The current Dallam County Courthouse is built.
  • Late 20th century - Dalhart's economy diversifies, with oil, gas, and wind energy becoming significant sectors.
  • 2012 - The Dalhart Windberg Museum opens, showcasing the paintings of artist Dalhart Windberg.