Former Townsite of Wheat
Hermleigh, Scurry County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Small farming community that grew up here in the late 1880s. Received its name because of a bumper wheat crop the year the U. S. Post Office opened --1890. Two postmasters served here: Minerva Thomas and G. W. McCall. A school, which doubled as a church, was built a half mile west on southeast corner of adjoining section of land. When Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad was built through the area in 1907, residents moved two stores and a gin to newly surveyed townsite of Hermleigh to have access to the railroad. (1972)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A small farming settlement grew here in the late 1880s and took the name Wheat after a bumper wheat crop the year its post office opened in 1890. Served by postmasters Minerva Thomas and G. W. McCall, it had a school that doubled as a church. When the Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad bypassed the community in 1907, residents relocated two stores and a cotton gin to the new railside townsite of Hermleigh, and Wheat faded away.
Why it matters
Wheat is a classic example of how railroad routing alone could make or unmake West Texas towns, drawing whole communities to follow the tracks.
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Related people
- · Minerva Thomas
- · G. W. McCall
Themes & tags
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