Garza County

Linda Puckett

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2010
• Print ISBN: 9780738579092
• eBook ISBN: 9781439624647
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Garza County was created in 1876 and named by Texas legislators in honor of the de la Garza family of San Antonio. The county lay claim to vast ranch lands with the picturesque cap rock escarpment weaving its way from north to south. Though the 1880 census listed the population as a sparse 36 peoplemostly landowners and cowhandscattlemen like John B. Slaughter and W. E. Connell owned massive spreads in excess of 100, 000 acres with more than 5, 000 head of cattle and 100 horses. By 1900, the population had grown to 180, with only 545 acres in cultivation. Things changed with the arrival of cereal magnate C. W. Post, who came to Garza County to begin building his model town and experimental farming campaign. On June 15, 1907, an election to organize the county was held and Post City became the official county seat, touting the slogan Gateway to the Plains.

Five

GATEWAY TO POST CITY

C. W. Post was intrigued by the shape and color of the unusual round rocks found in the county. He ordered the rocks harvested after big rains and stored them for future use. Stonemason Scotty Samson used the stones to build the gate shown in this 1907 image at the east end of town, but a runaway team demolished it, and the stones were again placed in storage.

This 1920 scene of a snow-covered Main Street shows the progress made during a 13-year period. What was once a prairie now sported two-story buildings, grocers, drugstores, hardware stores, a bank, a 30-room hotel, and more. The building on the right front is the first hotel, the Algerita, built in 1908 and later called the Rogers Hotel. The next building to the left housed C. W. Post’s offices.

This 1907 image shows the W. O. Stevens residence, the second home built in Post. Stevens, formerly of Bridgeport, came highly recommended for an opening for a cashier at the new bank. He was hired and at the same time was made a Double U Company manager by C. W. Post. Stevens was the half-brother of Uncle Tom Stevens, a trusted friend and associate of Post.

Scotty Samson used saved stones to create an entrance gate to the Terrace Cemetery (pictured above), designed after a similar gate near his home in Scotland. After the second death in Post in 1908, it became apparent that the town needed a cemetery. A request was made to C. W. Post. He replied that he personally wished that there were no need of any such spot, but that affairs must be conducted in accordance with the dictation of a power much superior to human intelligence. He gave his approval and provided the board with a complete plan for driveways, plots, and fencing. The date of the Terrace Cemetery photograph (below) is probably 1909. It would appear that the Woodsman gravestones were being placed.

E. A. and Eva Warren (seated, front left) are the only people identified in this photograph. Everyone is decked out in his or her finest; ladies with beautiful hats and dresses, making a true fashion statement in the rural West Texas town of Post City. The striking group reflects that early residents exuberated great pride. Mrs. Warren wears a split skirt.

At the time of this photograph, E. A. Warren Sr., editor and publisher, owned the Post City Post. Its first owner was Hal Murray. Later the business name was changed to the Post Dispatch by E. A. Warren Jr. In this image are, from left to right, E. A. Warren Sr., Eddie Warren, Pauline Warren, and Emile Gandin A banner on the automobile advertises the Garza County Fair in September. A porch post obscures the year.

C. W. Post decided to build a home in Post City. He took great care in the planning and building of the house, which featured six bedrooms and six bathrooms, selecting furnishings that included hand-painted leather wallpaper. A Persian rug completely covered the floor, and chairs were stamped leather. The huge living room has a massive fireplace. The house was finished by September 1913, but due to pressing business that delayed his planned trip to Post City and then his...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - LANDSCAPES TO LATIGOS
• Two - GATEWAY TO THE PLAINS
• Three - SCHOOL BELLS TOLL
• Four - AN AMERICAN ICON
• Five - GATEWAY TO POST CITY
• Six - GETTIN’ AROUND GARZA COUNTY
• Seven - BODY AND SPIRIT
• Eight - CULTURAL WARRIORS OF THE PLAINS
• Nine - A FAMILY TRADITION
• Ten - ONE HUNDRED YEARS AND COUNTING
• BIBLIOGRAPHY