National Register Listing

Howard, Robert E., House

a.k.a. Howard,Isaac M. and Hester Ervin,House

Jct. of TX 36 (Fourth St.) and Ave. J, Cross Plains, TX
The Robert E. Howard House, Texas State Highway 36 West, Cross Plains, Callahan County, is significant in the area of LITERATURE. In 1919, Howard moved into the house with his parents, and from 1924 to his death in 1936, he wrote most of the stories for which he is internationally renowned. Howard wrote for the pulp fiction magazines which enjoyed extensive popularity in the early and mid-twentieth century and created a subgenre of literature --heroic fantasy, or sword-and-sorcery--which attained its widest popularity almost thirty years after Howard's death. Although Howard wrote in a variety of genres and created a number of popular series characters, he enjoyed his greatest success in the subgenre of popular literature which he created and which featured his most successful and enduring character, Conan the Cimmerian. Regarded as one of the major twentieth-century exponents of fantasy literature, Howard's significance is national. The period of significance extends from 1919, when Howard, who had already embarked on his tentative writing career, and his parents moved into the house, until 1936, when Howard, despondent over the impending death of his mother, committed suicide. The Robert E. Howard House is the one property most closely associated with the writer's life and career and served as both his home and office for his brief career.
Local significance of the building:
Literature

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
Texas random facts
Callahan County, Texas has a rich history that dates back to its initial settlement in the mid-19th century. Originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, the region saw an influx of settlers in the 1850s, primarily from states like Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri, seeking new opportunities on the Texas frontier.

In 1858, the Texas Legislature officially established Callahan County, naming it after James Hughes Callahan, a ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution. The county's early economy relied heavily on agriculture, with cotton being the main cash crop and cattle ranching also playing a significant role.

During the Civil War, like many regions of Texas, Callahan County experienced unrest and hardship. After the war, however, the county quickly recovered, and the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railway in the late 19th century further fueled growth and development. The railroad brought new settlers, boosted trade, and led to the establishment of towns like Baird, Cross Plains, and Clyde.

Throughout the 20th century, Callahan County continued to evolve and diversify its economy. Oil was discovered in the area in the 1920s, leading to the establishment of oilfields and the growth of the petroleum industry. Agriculture remained important, with crops like wheat, milo, and sorghum becoming significant, and ranching continued to thrive.

Today, Callahan County is a vibrant community that honors its history while embracing modern advancements. Its rich agricultural heritage, coupled with a growing oil and gas industry, makes this county a resilient and prosperous area within the state of Texas.

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

  • 1854 - Callahan County is created and named after James Hughes Callahan, a Texas Ranger and legislator.
  • Late 1850s - Settlers begin to arrive in the area, primarily from the southern United States.
  • 1861-1865 - Callahan County, like the rest of Texas, is greatly impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1872 - Baird is established as the county seat.
  • Early 1880s - The Texas & Pacific Railway is built through Callahan County, boosting economic growth.
  • Early 1900s - Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, becomes a major industry in the county.
  • 1923-1924 - Oil is discovered in Callahan County, leading to a boom in production and economic development.
  • 1940s - Callahan County experiences a decline in population due to the effects of World War II.
  • 1980s-1990s - The economy diversifies with the growth of manufacturing and retail sectors.
  • 2000s - Callahan County continues to be primarily rural, with agriculture and oil production playing significant roles in the local economy.