Tascosa, Texas
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 35° 31.884 W 102° 15.368
13S E 748784 N 3935439
Tascosa, sometimes called Old Tascosa, is the former capital of ten counties in the Texas Panhandle.
Waymark Code: WMTF10
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2016
Views: 2
County of town: Oldham County
Location of town: Crossroads of US-385 & TX-233 in county
County is in the lower portion of the Texas Panhandle
Location of courthouse: TX-233, Main St.,
Boys Ranch, TX
Elevation: 3,192 ft (973 m)
"History in a Pecan Shell
Originally settled by shepherds and freighters from New Mexico, the area was named Atascosa (boggy) for the swamp-like area where the Canadian River meets the local creek (also named Atascosa). The abbreviated name resulted in ‘Tascosa. The town found itself as a terminus of the Tascosa-Dodge City Cattle Trail in the late 1870s as the large ranches that formed in the region used the town as an assembling point. The activity drove the original settlers back to the tranquility of New Mexico.
"The town’s first business was a blacksmithing operation owned by Henry Kimball, followed by a general store and a post office. In 1880 the county was organized and Tascosa became the county seat. A stone courthouse was constructed, even while dancehalls and saloons were building at an alarming rate. In need of a cemetery, the town’s first Sheriff (Caleb Willingham) shot the town’s first villain, who then became the first cemetery occupant.
"Tascosa was soon known as the “Cowboy Capital of the Plains,” and with good reason. Lawmen and outlaws either became long-term residents or quickly left. Those who tarried often became permanent residents of Boot Hill.
"The Fort Worth and Denver City Railway passed through this part of Oldham County around 1887, necessitating a move of two miles across the river. In 1890 the residents of both Old and New Tascosa reached 350.
"By 1915, the Panhandle was adding new towns which bled population from Tascosa. An election was held that year to create a new county seat and Vega won. Tascosa was left with a population of about 15 people. The last to leave was Frency McCormick, the widow of Tascosa’s first saloon. The woman held out until 1939, the year that opened the door for the establishment of Boys Ranch." ~ Texas Escapes