Jones County Texas Archives - Stamford Paved Streets - 1927 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 19 January 2020 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford American Thursday, June 30, 1927 Paved Streets of this day Replace Cowtrails of 1900 City is now modern in every respect and has over 5,000 people. Twenty-eight years ago, the ground where the City of Stamford now stands was one vast expanse of prairie. One year later there was quite a transformation. A railroad was extended from Albany into the heart of the prairie-land, streets were surveyed and graded, houses were built, businesses established; civilization and progress had intruded upon the quietness of the open, unsettled country and there was stir, activity and life Ñ a city was being born! The official lot sale was held in February, 1900. The yeas growth was rapid for a new town. That year two banks were established: one by Messrs. Penick, Colbert and Hughes out of which has grown the present First National Bank; the other was established by Morrow and Lowdon out of which has grown the present Stamford State Bank. Many mercantile firms of various kinds were established during the first year, among them being: Penick, Colbert, Hughes Company, Baker-Bryant Co., D.O. McRimmon and Company, L.C. Smith, Johnson Bros., and George Andrus. There were many others to establish a business of some sort in Stamford during the first year. In fact, so many that at the end of the first 12 months the town had grown into the city class and accordingly was incorporated on January 24, 1901. The first official family was: P.P. Berthelot, mayor; R.L. Penick, Chas. Brewington, G.W. Hamblett, J.T. McDaniel and Joe Clark, aldermen; Horace Pickett, city secretary and tax collector; and R.V. Colbert, N. Leavitt was the first post master at Stamford. While Coss Rose has the distinction of being the first Superintendent of the Public Schools. The writer was informed by one of the original settlers of Stamford that the first school was supported by public subscription. The Stamford Townsite Company did much to further the early progress of the town. Most all of the operative industries were established by this company. They built the Stamford Inn, at that time one of the finest hotels in West Texas. This firm was also responsible for the first water works system, the first ice plant, the first light and power plant as well as the first cotton oil mill. As the town grew older these industries were gradually absorbed by other interests; but this firm today under the name of Swenson Land and Cattle Company is still wielding a wonderful influence for the good and advancement of the city. They are liberal supporters of every progressive move. Stamford today has a population of over 5000 upright, public-spirited citizens. The town has kept pace with the time in the way of modern improvements and city conveniences. It has a good water system with an abundance of pure water stored in Lake Penick. The sewage system is new, and the disposal plant is large enough to take care of the needs of a city many times the size of Stamford. Sixty blocks of principal streets have been paved, while many more have been graveled. Tourists pass favorable comments on the Post Office Building which is situated in the center of a beautiful well-kept plaza. The town has a good City Hall in which is also housed the Fire Department where two large engine trucks are kept to protect the property of the city. Recently there has been built a new and modern City Auditorium, which is used for many purposes by the entire community. Stamford is the home of Company ÒKÓ 142nd Infantry, National Guard fo Texas. This company furnished recreation, exercise and employment to a great number of men of Stamford. Stamford has not neglected her religious and intellectual welfare. There are in Stamford 10 churches all housed in good buildings, four of which are made of brick, the value of the church property being $300,000. The Public Schools of Stamford have an enrollment of nearly 1400 pupils, the faculty is composed of 33 well-trained teachers. The High School is an affiliated institution with 26 credits. Stamford has a Carnegie Library, a Harmon Foundation Park, numerous civic and fraternal organizations which together with its splendid citizenship makes it a good town in which to live. The Stamford County Line Independent School District of Jones and Haskell Counties were organized by a special act of the 37th Legislature and was approved by the governor of the 11th day of March, 1921. The Stamford Schools have grown rapidly for the past few years. StamfordÕs first school was privately conducted. The first public school was opened in December of 1900. At that time six teachers were employed, and the enrollment was less than 200. Now there are 1371 scholastics enrolled with an average daily attendance of about 1,000. A corps of 34 teachers are employed. The school is supported by a $1.00 local tax on a rendition of $4,452,470.00. The Stamford High School is one of the best in West Texas. It is housed in a $1,000,000.00 modern building, employs a faculty of 11 teachers all of whom hold college degrees, and has 26 units of affiliation with the State Department of Education. The Stamford High School offers ideal facilities for the rural and small town schools to complete a course that will permit entrance to college. Pupils seeking High School advantages are respectfully asked to come to Stamford.