Elliott Ranch
Rankin, Upton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built 1880 near old Butterfield Stage Road by Geo. Elliott, from San Antonio, one of first to go so far out on open range. Had to haul water from head of the Concho, 50 miles. His home was first polling place in what became Upton County in 1887. Headquarters 1905-1928 for Mayer Halff and brother's J. M., "Quien Sabe", Circle Dot herds. After Upton County organized, 1910, served as a mail station, a salt house, cowboys' bunkhouse. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
George Elliott pushed onto the wide-open West Texas range in 1880, building near the old Butterfield Stage Road and hauling water fifty miles from the head of the Concho. His ranch house served as the first polling place of the county that formed in 1887 and later anchored the vast Halff-brothers 'Quien Sabe' and Circle Dot cattle operations. As Upton County organized, it did double duty as a mail station, salt house, and cowboy bunkhouse.
Why it matters
Elliott Ranch embodies the audacity of the open-range cattle era, when a single homestead became polling place, post office, and outfit headquarters on land barely reachable by road.
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Related people
- · George Elliott
- · Mayer Halff
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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