Summary
Plemons is a ghost town in Hutchinson County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located 10 miles southeast of Stinnett, and 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Borger, on Plemons Road, just north of the junction of County Road R.
Plemons, Texas | |
|---|---|
  Plemons Location within the state of Texas | |
| Coordinates: 35°48′03″N 101°18′33″W / 35.80083°N 101.30917°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Hutchinson |
| Elevation | 2,740 ft (840 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1380381[1] |
Establishment edit
In 1898, Oklahoma rancher James Andrew Whittenburg filed on four sections of land in Hutchinson County, where he built a dugout shelter near the Canadian River. He used the acreage as the family homestead. In 1901, Whittenburg donated acreage from the homestead land for the establishment of a town.[3] When Barney Plemons filed for land there, the town was named for him. Plemons became the county seat in 1901 when Hutchinson County was organized. E. E. Akers built the courthouse.[4]
Economy edit
Mattie Sams was appointed the first postmaster when Plemons received its post office on May 29, 1901. The post office was in operation until 1952.[5]
The first decade of its existence, Plemons had 15 families. Billy Dixon moved to Plemons from Adobe Walls and operated a boarding house. Dixon became the first county sheriff.[6] The Plemons economy realized modest benefit from nearby Turkey Track ranch and Tar Box ranch.[7]
New county seat edit
The Amarillo branch of the Rock Island and Gulf Railway bypassed Plemons, routing 10 miles (16 km) to the north. Stinnett was then developed to be a shipping point for the railroad. In 1926, the county seat of government was moved to Stinnett. Plemons began to decline after that, despite a brief spurt during the oil boom. Today, Plemons is considered a ghost town.[6]
Education edit
The area was served by the Plemons Independent School District until July 1, 1987, when it merged into the Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips Consolidated Independent School District.[8]
Plemons Cemetery edit
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Marker number 12096 was designated for the Plemons Cemetery.[9] The first burial is believed to have been Mrs. E. E. Akers, date unknown. The last burial was Charles Ray Sessions in 1953. The local Boy Scouts troop spearheaded preservation efforts of the cemetery.[10]
Notable person edit
- Billy Dixon (1850–1913) lived in Plemons from 1902–1906. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 4, 1874, for gallantry in action on September 12, 1874. In 1916, Dixon's was one of 900 medals withdrawn as "unwarranted". The U.S. Army Board of Correction of Records restored the medal in 1989.[11]
Climate edit
According to the Köppen climate classification, Plemons has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.[12]
References edit
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Plemons, Texas
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Anderson, H. Allen. "THSA-James Andrew Whittenburg". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
- ^ Anderson, H. Allen. "TSHA-Plemons, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
- ^ "Hutchinson County Post Offices". Jim Wheat. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Escape-Plemons, Tx". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ Anderson, H. Allen. "Turkey Track Ranch". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ "CONSOLIDATIONS, ANNEXATIONS AND NAME CHANGES FOR TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS" (PDF). Texas Education Agency. 2018-09-10. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
- ^ "THC-Plemons Cemetery". Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ "Plemons Cemetery". Texas Historical Markers. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ "Medal of Honor Recipients-Indian Wars Period". U.S. Army Center of Military Intelligence. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ Climate Summary for Plemons, Texas