Introduction to Armstrong County
Armstrong County Texas was created in 1876. The county name honors several pioneers named Armstrong. Ranching became the chief industry when huge JA Ranch was established, here, in 1876. The county is also home to the Panhandle Ranch of Charles Goodnight. Armstrong county became formally organized in 1890.
Armstrong County, just like so many other counties in Texas, has a storied history. Charles Goodnight at the request of his wife, Mary Ann, is the rancher that saved the bison of Texas from extinction. The line of bison they saved, over time, became the basis of the Texas State Bison Herd that roams free in Caprock Canyons State Park.
Palo Duro Canyon cuts its way through Armstrong County. Hamblen Drive, the lifes work for a passable road through the canyon by William Hamblen, became reality in 1930. Hamblen Drive is currently known as Texas Highway 207.
Pictures of the older County Courthouses
The first courthouse in Armstrong County was built in 1890. It was a simple wooden 2 Story Structure. No pictures have been located to date.
Pictures of the 1912 Armstrong County Courthouse
The current courthouse in Armstrong County is the second courthouse, built in 1912. It isn’t clear that the 1912 courthouse in Armstrong County has ever been restored. The courtroom was restored in 1991.
Armstrong County Courthouse District Courtroom – Claude, Texas 2018
Other Armstrong County Attractions
We have been completely unable to locate any record of the Armstrong County Centennial Marker. We have been unable to find it in our travels, as well.
- Armstrong County Jail
- Armstrong County Museum
- Portions of Palo Duro Canyon
- Hamblen Drive (Tx Highway 207)
Our List of additional attractions to see
- Charles Goodnight Historical Center
- Goodnight (Town and Cemetery)
- Goodnight House
- Quanah Parker Trail Marker in Goodnight
- Quanah Parker Trail Marker in Wayside
If anyone knows of anything else … please leave us a comment! We’d love to see it, next time we go out!!
Links
Armstrong County Website
Texas State Historical Association
Wikipedia Article