Martin County
Historical marker location:On lower great plains of west Texas. Formed from Young and Bexar territories. Created Aug. 21, 1876, and organized Nov. 4, 1884. Named for Wyly Martin, member of Austin's colony and Texas patriot.
County seat established by the first commissioners court which authorized construction of courthouse in Stanton (then called Mariensfield).
Early C. C. Slaughter ranch headquarters, 12 miles northwest of Stanton at Mustang Spring, best campsite west of Big Spring.
Economy based on grain sorghum, cotton farming; cattle ranching; petroleum. (1936)
Formed from Young and Bexar territories created August 21, 1876. Organized November 4, 1884. Named in honor of Wyly Martin 1776-1842.
An alcalde in Austin's colony member of the consultation in 1835, soldier in the Texas revolution, member of the Texas congress. County seat, Marienfeld, 1884; Stanton since 1890
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
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.
Martin County Timeline
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.