Historic Courthouse

Martin County Courthouse

Stanton, Texas

Built in 1886.

Adobe,.

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.

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Martin County, Texas, located in the western part of the state, has a diverse and rich history. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Wichita, who thrived on the fertile land. The arrival of European settlers came with the expansion of the railway system in the late 19th century, leading to the establishment of a trading post in the area in 1881.

The county was officially founded in 1884 and named after Wylie Martin, an early settler and a prominent figure in the community. Agriculture quickly became a vital part of the county's economy, with cotton, corn, and wheat being the primary crops grown by the early pioneers. The population grew steadily, and small towns began to emerge, including Stanton, the county seat.

In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil brought significant changes to Martin County. Oil rigs started popping up, attracting a wave of new residents and boosting the local economy. The oil boom led to a rapid period of growth and prosperity, with the county becoming a prominent player in the state's oil industry.

Despite the economic success, Martin County faced challenges during the Great Depression, which resulted in a decline in oil production and widespread financial struggles. However, the county managed to weather the storm and recover in the following years. Today, Martin County continues its legacy as an agricultural and oil-producing region, while also embracing its vibrant history and cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Martin County, Texas.

  • 1886 - Martin County is formed and named after W.H. Martin, a Texas soldier killed during the Battle of Alamo.
  • 1903 - The first post office is established in the county.
  • 1907 - The town of Stanton is founded as the county seat.
  • 1926 - Oil is discovered in the county, leading to an economic boom.
  • 1928 - The first oil well, Tubb-Brothers No. 1, is drilled in Martin County.
  • 1930 - The population of Martin County reaches its peak at over 8,000 people.
  • 1947 - Martin County experiences an oil boom due to the discovery of the Spraberry Trend.
  • 1967 - The county suffers an economic downturn when the Spraberry Trend runs out of oil.
  • 1973 - Stanton becomes a Class A school district.
  • 1984 - Martin County experiences another oil boom with the discovery of the Wolfcamp Shale.
  • 1998 - The Martin County Library is established.
  • 2009 - Martin County celebrates its 125th anniversary.