Stinnett, TX – Hutchinson County Seat – Legends of America
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Panhandle, Stinnett stands as a testament to the resilient spirit of the American West. As the county seat of Hutchinson County, this town of approximately 1,900 residents boasts a rich history interwoven with tales of railroad expansion, oil booms, Prohibition-era lawlessness, and the enduring allure of the Texan landscape.
Genesis of a Town: Railroads and Land Speculation
The story of Stinnett begins in 1925, a time when the iron horse was rapidly transforming the American landscape. The Chicago, Rock Island, and Gulf Railway, a key player in the nation’s burgeoning rail network, sought to extend its reach from Amarillo, Texas, to Liberal, Kansas. To achieve this ambitious goal, the railway enlisted the services of two forward-thinking railroad men, Albert Sidney Stinnett and Joe Williams, tasking them with securing the necessary right-of-way for the new branch line.
Strategic considerations led to the selection of a site outside the rugged terrain bordering the Canadian River. In July 1926, the railway company acquired the surface rights for the proposed line from W.A. Starnes for $48,000. This pivotal transaction paved the way for the emergence of Stinnett as a bustling railroad shipping point.
Enter Asa Phillip "Ace" Borger and J.T. Peyton, two astute town promoters who recognized the immense potential of the newly acquired land. Together, they formed the Stinnett Townsite Company, embarking on a mission to develop a thriving town that would serve as a vital hub for the railroad.
The land was meticulously surveyed and platted, and in a gesture of recognition, the town was named after Albert Sidney Stinnett, whose vision and efforts had been instrumental in selecting the site. The official dedication of the townsite took place on August 11, 1926, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Hutchinson County.
Dollar Day and the Land Rush: A Town Takes Shape
To attract prospective residents and investors, the Stinnett Townsite Company organized a special "Dollar Day" event on August 15, 1926. The event featured a lively picnic and engaging games, all designed to entice attendees to purchase lots in the burgeoning town. The response was overwhelming, with hundreds of people flocking to Stinnett for the occasion.
Within a mere four months, the townsite company had sold an impressive $400,000 worth of lots. Prime corner lots commanded prices as high as $1,250, while inside lots fetched up to $1,000, reflecting the intense demand for land in the promising new town.
The railroad company swiftly constructed a depot, further solidifying Stinnett’s position as a transportation hub. The population rapidly swelled to nearly 2,500 residents, as people from all walks of life flocked to the town in search of opportunity. Makeshift wooden shacks and canvas tents sprung up to accommodate the growing population, creating a vibrant yet somewhat chaotic atmosphere.
The County Seat Controversy: A Midnight Raid and a Ghost Town
In September 1926, Ace Borger spearheaded an effort to relocate the county seat from Plemons to Stinnett. A petition was circulated among Hutchinson County residents, igniting a heated debate about the future of the county.
The residents of Plemons, acutely aware of the potential consequences of losing the county seat, fiercely resisted the move. They understood that such a loss could spell the demise of their town, transforming it into a mere shadow of its former self.
A special election was called for September 18, 1926, to resolve the contentious issue. With approximately 500 legal voters in the county, the election was hotly contested, marked by passionate arguments and deep-seated emotions.
Ultimately, Stinnett emerged victorious, securing the coveted title of county seat. The outcome was a devastating blow to Plemons, whose residents immediately threatened a court suit to challenge the election results.
Undeterred, the newly elected county commissioners convened a clandestine midnight meeting. Under the cover of darkness, they backed a truck up to the Plemons courthouse, loaded all the county records, and spirited them away to Stinnett.
The loss of the county seat proved fatal for Plemons. The town gradually faded into obscurity, eventually becoming a ghost town. Today, only a cemetery remains as a somber reminder of Plemons’ once-vibrant past.
Growth and Development: A Flourishing Community Emerges
Stinnett’s growth continued unabated, fueled by its strategic location and the entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. On October 13, 1926, the town secured a post office, with Preston R. Walker serving as its first postmaster.
The town’s initial courthouse, constructed at a cost of $3,000, quickly proved inadequate for the growing needs of the county. Ace Borger, ever the visionary, advocated for the construction of a grand courthouse that would solidify Stinnett’s position as the county seat for generations to come.
In 1927, a bond election was held, resulting in the approval of a $450,000 courthouse project. That same year, Stinnett was officially incorporated, adopting a mayor-commissioned government to oversee its affairs.
The new courthouse, a magnificent four-story structure of brick and stone, was dedicated on December 15, 1928. Designed by Amarillo architect W. C. Townes and built by local contractor C. S. Lambie & Company, the courthouse quickly became a symbol of Stinnett’s prosperity and civic pride.
The courthouse’s architectural features include a three-bay primary facade with a grand entry bay, a raised basement with end entries, metal sash windows, and second-floor windows with round-arch stone lintels. Friezes at the east and west entrances depict the petroleum, farm and ranch, and cattle industries, reflecting the area’s economic foundations.
Initially, the top floor of the courthouse housed the jail and sheriff’s quarters. These facilities remained in use until 1982, when the courthouse underwent remodeling and a new jail was constructed.
The Hutchinson County Courthouse, located at 500 North Main Street, was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1962 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, cementing its place in the annals of Texas history.
Boom and Bust: Oil, Prohibition, and the Great Depression
Stinnett’s early years coincided with the oil boom in Hutchinson County, bringing both prosperity and challenges to the town. While not a typical oil boomtown, Stinnett profited from the oil fields in neighboring communities and the railroad.
The town also experienced its share of lawlessness and violence, particularly during the Prohibition era. Many establishments in Stinnett, including restaurants, rooming houses, and drugstores, surreptitiously sold illegal whiskey and beer in their backrooms.
One of Stinnett’s most notorious residents was John Waltine "Shine" Popejoy, known as the King of the Texas Bootleggers. He operated his illicit activities, including prostitution, from a bar called the Blue Moon. Popejoy was also implicated in bank robberies in Henrietta, Oklahoma, and Plemons and Stinnett, Texas.
In 1933, while under arrest and confined to the city jail, Popejoy was killed by a jailer after attempting to escape, bringing an end to his reign of lawlessness.
The onset of the Great Depression brought hard times to Stinnett. The price of crude oil plummeted, leading to a sharp decline in the town’s population and business activity. By 1930, Stinnett’s population had dwindled to just 500, and the number of businesses had plummeted from about 75 to fewer than twenty.
Resurgence and Enduring Legacy: A Commercial Center
Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, Stinnett demonstrated its resilience, rebounding in subsequent decades due to the development of natural gas and petroleum resources. By 1960, the town’s population had rebounded to 2,695, supported by eight churches, a school, a bank, a branch library, and a newspaper.
Although its boom days are long past, Stinnett has retained its importance as a commercial center for the surrounding grain-growing, oil, and ranching area. Today, it serves as a vital hub for the agricultural and energy industries that drive the region’s economy.
Stinnett is located in the central part of Hutchinson County at the junction of State highways 152 and 207, providing easy access to surrounding communities and regional markets.
As a testament to its rich history and enduring spirit, Stinnett stands as a living monument to the pioneers who shaped the Texas Panhandle. Its story is one of ambition, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of opportunity in the face of adversity.