Proctor
Proctor, Comanche County, Texas
Marker Inscription
One mile northeast of this well stood Old Proctor, named for A.W. Proctor who gave land for first school. Town moved here in 1890 when construction halted on the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad. Considered for county seat since rail freight was shipped here. In 20 years following coming of railroad, town developed into an important business center. It had a post office, newspaper, depot, hotel, cafe, livery stable, lumberyard, telephone system, 2 gins, 2 grocery stores, 2 barber shops, 2 drugstores, 2 doctors, 3 churches, 4 lodges and a high school. Community boasted of an outstanding baseball team and a brass band that played for school programs, picnics and other public gatherings. During this time town became a shipping center. Originally two wells were hand-dug in the center of Main Street. This one has been preserved as a landmark. The wells furnished water for drinking and fighting fires; water was drawn by hand and poured in 2 wooden troughs for stock; wagon trains coming through stopped to water their teams and replenish their supply. Today water is again playing an important part--Proctor Reservoir is bringing new life to this pioneer community. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Old Proctor, named for A. W. Proctor who gave land for its first school, moved to this spot in 1890 when construction of the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad halted here. In the next two decades the shipping point blossomed into a bustling center with a newspaper, hotels, churches, lodges, a high school, a celebrated baseball team, and a brass band. Two hand-dug wells in the middle of Main Street watered residents, livestock, and passing wagon trains—one still preserved as a landmark.
Why it matters
Proctor is a classic tale of how the railroad made and shaped small Texas towns, later renewed by the waters of Proctor Reservoir.
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Related people
- · A. W. Proctor
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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