C. M. Armstrong Building
Seagraves, Gaines County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Clifton Martin Armstrong (1888-1951) was instrumental in the early growth of northern Gaines County. He was involved in several significant area land deals, including the sale of town lots when Seagraves was founded in 1917. He served as mayor for twelve years and, with his wife Carobel, daughter of pioneer Texas rancher Col. D. H. Snyder, was active in community activities. In 1926 Armstrong built this structure to house his Seagraves Motor Co. After a fire destroyed other buildings on the block in 1928, a bank and the post office were temporarily located here. (1981)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Clifton Martin Armstrong helped build northern Gaines County from its earliest days, brokering major land deals and selling town lots when Seagraves was founded in 1917. He served twelve years as mayor and, with his wife Carobel — daughter of pioneer rancher Col. D.H. Snyder — was a fixture of community life. In 1926 he raised this building to house his Seagraves Motor Co., and after a fire leveled the block in 1928 it briefly sheltered a bank and the post office.
Why it matters
The building marks the automobile-age founding of a West Texas town, where a single civic booster's motor company, land deals, and mayoralty shaped a community's rise.
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Related people
- · Clifton Martin Armstrong
- · Carobel Snyder Armstrong
Themes & tags
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