Historical Markers in
Shackelford County, Texas

Big Country Baptist Assembly Black Cemetery Bud Matthews Switch of the Texas Central Railway Butterfield Overland Mail City of Albany Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Griffin Cook Ranch Oil Field Cottle No.1, First Gas Well in Shackelford County Dr. Jack Shackelford Family Forts, C.S.A. First Christian Church First Producing Oil Well in West Texas First United Methodist Church of Albany Fort Griffin Civil Jail Fort Griffin Fandangle Frank Eben Conrad Frontier Town of Fort Griffin Goodnight-Loving Trail in Shackelford County Granville E. Waters H. C. Jacobs House Hartfield Building Ibex Jackson Warehouse Ledbetter Picket House Ledbetter Salt Work, C.S.A. Lt. Col. William E. Dyess Lt. Col. William E. Dyess Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church Moran Moran Cemetery Moran Church of Christ Robert Edward Nail, Jr. Rye-Caperton House Shackelford County Shackelford County Shackelford County Courthouse Shackelford County's First Permanent Jail Site of Reynolds Presbyterian Academy Smith's Station Texas Cattle Trail Texas Central Railway Company The Albany News The Lynch Building The Rev. John Brown, Clara Barton and the 1886-1887 Drought Relief Trinity Episcopal Church Western Cattle Trail Crossings at Fort Griffin, The White Elephant Saloon
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Texas random facts
Shackelford County, located in the state of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 19th century. The County was officially established in 1858 and named after Dr. John Shackelford, a prominent Texas soldier and statesman.

The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Comanche and Kiowa. However, it was eventually settled by European settlers in the mid-1800s, who sought fertile land for ranching and farming. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further boosted the local economy and brought new opportunities for growth.

During the Civil War, Shackelford County witnessed significant military activities. Confederate troops were stationed in the area, and the county saw skirmishes and battles between local troops and Union forces. After the war, the County experienced a period of reconstruction and recovery, as settlers worked to rebuild their communities and infrastructure.

In the early 20th century, Shackelford County was predominantly an agricultural and ranching community. However, the discovery of oil in the region in the 1920s transformed the local economy. Oil wells and refineries were established, attracting new industries and jobs to the area. The County experienced a period of prosperity and development during this time.

Today, Shackelford County continues to be a vibrant community with a thriving agriculture industry, supported by ranching, farming, and oil production. Its rich history is preserved and celebrated through various historical sites and museums, offering visitors and locals a glimpse into the county's past.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Shackelford County, Texas.

  • 1858 - Shackelford County is created by the Texas Legislature from portions of Bosque, Travis, and Young counties.
  • 1874 - The first settlers begin arriving in the area.
  • 1875 - Fort Griffin is established as a U.S. Army outpost.
  • 1878 - The county seat is moved from Fort Griffin to Albany.
  • 1880 - The Texas Central Railroad extends its line to Albany, boosting the local economy.
  • 1883 - The town of Moran is founded.
  • 1900 - Oil and gas is discovered, leading to an economic boom in the county.
  • 1940 - World War II brings an increase in military activity to the area.
  • 1979 - The Shackelford County Historical Commission is established to preserve the county's history.
  • 2000 - The population of Shackelford County reaches its peak, with over 3,300 residents.