Hamblen Drive
Wayside, Armstrong County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Named for William H. Hamblen (1878-1952), who in the 1890s pioneered a crude road (about 6 mi. N) into Palo Duro Canyon along old Indian trails. This cut 120 miles off settlers' trips to the courthouse in Claude, but was steep and dangerous. Hamblen and his wife, Ada (1883-1955), ranched near Wayside after 1905. He worked unceasingly to get a passable road through Palo Duro. Elected county commissioner in 1928, he at last had a graded road built. By decision of the commissioners court, the road was dedicated in 1930 as Hamblen Drive. With its paving in 1954, a dream of a lifetime was realized. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the 1890s William H. Hamblen carved a rough road into Palo Duro Canyon along old Indian trails, cutting some 120 miles off settlers' trips to the county courthouse in Claude — though the steep, dangerous grade made the shortcut a gamble. Hamblen and his wife Ada ranched near Wayside after 1905, and he campaigned tirelessly for a safer route. Elected county commissioner in 1928, he finally saw a graded road built and dedicated in 1930 as Hamblen Drive, its paving in 1954 fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Why it matters
Hamblen Drive is a small monument to the persistence it took to connect isolated ranch country to the wider world, one hard-won mile of road at a time.
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Related people
- · William H. Hamblen
- · Ada Hamblen
Themes & tags
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