Rocky Ford Crossing and Community
Amherst, Lamb County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(The ford was 0.5 mile to the west) The 840-mile Brazos River was both friend and foe to settlers. Here near the source of Double Mountain Fork, after XIT Ranch was sold to smaller operators about 1912, the river that had attracted settlers was found to obstruct wet-weather travel. In 1926, the settlers built a gyp-rock road across the valley and lined the river bed with rock, to make a passable road. They also built a tabernacle for church, elections, and other gatherings. New roads bypass Rocky Ford, yet the community still thrives. (1976)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On the High Plains near the head of the Brazos' Double Mountain Fork, the river was both lifeline and obstacle to settlers who moved in after the vast XIT Ranch was broken up around 1912. In 1926 the community solved the problem of wet-weather travel themselves, laying a gyp-rock road across the valley and lining the riverbed with stone to make a passable ford. They also raised a brush tabernacle that hosted church services, elections, and gatherings, keeping the community alive even as new roads later bypassed the crossing.
Why it matters
It captures the grit of Panhandle settlers building their own roads and civic gathering places in the wake of the great ranch's breakup.
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Themes & tags
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