State Antiquities Landmark

Ozark Trail Marker at Tampico, TX

Historic 1918-1921
Texas
Significance:
Historic road markers ( Ozark Trail Marker at Tampico, TX (41HL69). )

Jurisdiction:
County of Hall

State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) are designated by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and receive legal protection under the Antiquities Code of Texas (the Code). The Code defines all cultural resources on non-federal public lands in the State of Texas as eligible to be designated as SALs. Historic buildings and other aboveground historic resources must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places before they can be designated as SALs, but archeological sites do not have the same prerequisite.

SAL designation does not mean that sites or buildings cannot be altered or destroyed. The land-owning agency must consult with the THC about such proposed actions through the permit process, and the THC will determine whether the work will be allowed.

Buildings designated as SALs are listed in the Texas Historic Sites Atlas. However, information about designated archeological sites is not available to the general public to protect the sites from vandalism and destruction.

The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The flower blooms in the spring and is a common sight along the highways and in fields throughout the state.
Texas random facts
Hall County is located in the panhandle region of Texas and has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, before the arrival of European settlers. In the mid-18th century, Spanish explorers began to venture into the region, establishing trade routes and missions.

The county's history took a significant turn in the late 19th century when the area became a hub of cattle ranching. The arrival of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway in 1887 opened up opportunities for the transportation of livestock, leading to the growth of numerous ranches. This development attracted further settlers to the region, prompting the establishment of Hall County in 1876.

The town of Memphis was designated as the county seat, named after the ancient Greek city. It quickly became a thriving community, with businesses, schools, and churches. The early 20th century brought challenges to the county, including droughts and the Great Depression. However, the resiliency of the locals and the introduction of farming techniques eventually allowed for the growth of the agricultural industry.

Throughout the mid to late 20th century, Hall County continued to adapt to changing economic conditions. The discovery of oil in the early 1940s brought an oil boom to the region, bringing new opportunities and prosperity. Today, Hall County remains a small but vibrant community, with a population of approximately 3,000 residents.

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

  • 1876: Hall County is organized and named after Warren D. C. Hall, an attorney and politician.
  • 1890: The town of Memphis becomes the county seat.
  • 1924: The discovery of oil leads to a boom in the local economy.
  • 1935: The Great Depression and drought cause a decline in population and agricultural production.
  • 1940s: The construction of Lake Meredith provides irrigation water for farming and becomes a popular recreational area.
  • 1950s-1960s: The population of Hall County continues to decline due to changes in agriculture and migration to urban areas.
  • 1970s: The cattle industry becomes a major part of the local economy.
  • 1990: The population of Hall County reaches its lowest point since the 1920s.
  • 2000s: The county experiences some population growth, but remains primarily rural.