Nestled in the heart of the Texas Panhandle, Stinnett, Texas stands as the proud county seat of Hutchinson County, a testament to resilience and strategic planning. This remarkable community, founded in 1925, rapidly transformed from a planned railroad stop into a bustling hub, its early history marked by dramatic growth and a pivotal battle for county prominence. The story of Stinnett, Texas, is one of ambition, development, and the enduring spirit of the American frontier.
The Strategic Founding of a Panhandle Hub
The genesis of Stinnett began with the ambitious expansion plans of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Gulf Railway. In 1925, railroad executives Albert Sidney Stinnett and Joe Williams were tasked with securing a critical right-of-way for a new branch line stretching from Amarillo, Texas, to Liberal, Kansas. Their chosen site, strategically located outside the rugged terrain along the Canadian River, promised smoother construction and easier access.
By July 1926, the railway finalized its acquisition of surface rights from W.A. Starnes for $48,000. Almost immediately, visionary town promoters Asa Phillip “Ace” Borger and J.T. Peyton seized the opportunity, forming the Stinnett Townsite Company. Their goal was to develop a new town that would serve as a vital railroad shipping point, capitalizing on the region’s burgeoning potential.
The land was meticulously surveyed and platted, officially dedicated on August 11, 1926, and named in honor of Albert Sidney Stinnett, whose foresight had been crucial in selecting the location. Just four days later, the Townsite Company orchestrated a special “Dollar Day” event, complete with a picnic and games, to attract prospective buyers. The response was overwhelming; hundreds flocked to the site, and within a mere four months, an astonishing $400,000 worth of lots were sold, with prime corner plots fetching as much as $1,250 and interior lots commanding up to $1,000.
The Dramatic County Seat Relocation
The arrival of the railroad quickly spurred development, with a depot rapidly constructed. The population of Stinnett swelled to nearly 2,500 people, leading to the hurried erection of numerous wooden shacks and canvas tents to accommodate the influx. In September 1926, Ace Borger, ever the astute opportunist, initiated a campaign to move the Hutchinson County seat from Plemons to the burgeoning new town of Stinnett. A petition circulated among county residents, garnering sufficient support to call for a special election on September 18, 1926.
The proposition sparked intense and heated discussions across the county. Residents of Plemons understood the existential threat this relocation posed to their community, and their concerns proved justified. Stinnett emerged victorious in the election, solidifying its claim as the new administrative center. In a dramatic turn of events, and anticipating legal challenges from Plemons residents, the newly elected county commissioners held a clandestine midnight meeting. They swiftly backed a truck up to the Plemons courthouse, loaded all the county records, and departed for Stinnett under the cover of darkness. Though Plemons did not vanish overnight, this audacious act sealed its fate, and today, little more than a cemetery remains of the once-proud town.
An Enduring Symbol: The Hutchinson County Courthouse
With its status as county seat cemented, Stinnett continued its rapid ascent. A post office was established on October 13, 1926, with Preston R. Walker serving as its first postmaster. The town’s initial courthouse, costing $3,000, quickly proved inadequate for its burgeoning administrative needs. Ace Borger, always with an eye on permanence, advocated for the construction of an imposing and expensive courthouse, believing its grandeur would deter any future attempts to relocate the county seat.
In 1927, a bond election was successfully passed, allocating $450,000 for a new courthouse building. That same year, the town officially incorporated, adopting a mayor-commissioned government. The magnificent new courthouse was dedicated on December 15, 1928, and remains a landmark of architectural beauty in Texas. Designed by Amarillo architect W. C. Townes and constructed by local firm C. S. Lambie & Company, the four-story brick and stone edifice showcases striking features. It boasts a three-bay primary facade with a grand entry, a raised basement with end entries, elegant metal sash windows, and second-floor windows adorned with round-arch stone lintels. Friezes at the east and west entrances eloquently depict the region’s historical economic pillars: the petroleum, farm and ranch, and cattle industries. Originally, the jail and sheriff’s quarters occupied the top floor, serving their purpose until a 1982 remodel saw the construction of a new jail. Located at 500 North Main Street, this iconic building was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1962 and later inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Stinnett During the Oil Boom and Prohibition Era
During its formative years, Stinnett experienced the periphery of the major oil boom sweeping through Hutchinson County. While not a typical “boomtown” teeming with derricks and roughnecks, it significantly profited from the oil fields in neighboring communities and its crucial role as a railroad transportation hub. This era of rapid wealth and transient populations, however, brought its share of lawlessness and violence.
Prohibition-era Stinnett was rife with illicit activities. Many establishments, including restaurants, rooming houses, and drugstores, clandestinely sold illegal whiskey and beer in their backrooms. One of the town’s most infamous characters was John Waltine “Shine” Popejoy, notorious as the “King of the Texas Bootleggers.” Popejoy operated a range of illegal enterprises, including prostitution, from his bar in Stinnett known as the Blue Moon. His criminal escapades extended to bank robberies in Henrietta, Oklahoma, and both Plemons and Stinnett, Texas. His reign came to a violent end in 1933 when, under arrest in the city jail, he was killed by a jailer during an escape attempt.
Resilience Through Depression and Resurgence
The exuberance of the boom years was abruptly curtailed by the onset of the Great Depression. The global economic downturn led to a drastic fall in crude oil prices, which severely impacted the region’s economy and, consequently, Stinnett’s population. By 1930, the town’s population had plummeted to a mere 500, and its thriving business community, once numbering around 75 establishments, dwindled to fewer than twenty. The future of Stinnett seemed uncertain during this challenging period.
However, the town demonstrated remarkable resilience. Over the ensuing decades, Stinnett experienced a gradual resurgence, driven by the continued development of natural gas and petroleum industries. By 1960, the community had largely recovered, reporting a population of 2,695. This renewed growth brought with it a robust infrastructure, including eight churches, a school system, a bank, a branch library, and a local newspaper, signifying its renewed vitality.
Stinnett Today: An Enduring Legacy
While the dramatic boom days are firmly in the past, Stinnett, Texas, has steadfastly maintained its importance as a commercial and cultural center for the surrounding agricultural, oil, and ranching regions. Today, it remains a vibrant home for approximately 1,900 residents, preserving its rich history while adapting to modern times. Positioned centrally within Hutchinson County at the junction of State Highways 152 and 207, Stinnett continues to serve as a vital crossroads in the Texas Panhandle.
From its bold founding by railroad pioneers and the contentious struggle for county seat status to its period of Prohibition-era intrigue and its impressive architectural legacy, Stinnett embodies the spirit of self-determination and endurance. Its history is a captivating narrative of a community that, despite facing economic downturns and societal shifts, has consistently rebuilt and reinforced its identity, ensuring its lasting presence as a significant Texas town.
