Dumas Museum & Art Center
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Miscellaneous History of Moore County

A Child's grave
The Panhandle area of Texas in the late 1870's was mostly populated with cattle grazed by some big ranches on land leased from the State of Texas. The land today is marked by trails worn in the land and by graves marking where people passed or lived. 
Abert
James W. Abert and a party of 33 explorers crossed Moore County in 1845 to survey Texas as part of the United States annexation of the state. They were part of the third expedition of John Charles Fremont whose assignment was to explore from Fort Bent along the Canadian River through Kiowa and Commanche territory.
Belle plain
The oil and gas boom in the 1920's prompted the rise of numerous towns. One of those towns was Borger and a little town on the eastern edge of Moore County - Belle Plain. A scattering of foundations where businesses and houses stood is all that is left of the little town.

burma shave
One of the "little" Treasures at Window on the Plains is a part of the Barber Shop display, donated to the museum by Jackie Funk and Mike Funk. It's a little yellow book called "The Verse By the Side of the Road" written by the grandson of the man who started making Burma Shave.
Charles Lindbergh
A 1933 Panhandle dust storm causes Charles Lindbergh to land his plane south of Dumas. He and his wife spent the night near the plane on the Coon Ranch and continued their journey the following morning.
Ding Dong Daddy
Songwriter Phil Baxter visited Dumas in the 1920's and wrote a song about Dumas -- I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas. It became a popular song across the country and the theme song of our local radio station.

Doctors
Early day doctors in Moore County built the bases for our good health care. The first doctor came in 1885, followed in 1908 by Dr. Samuel Anthony. Others have followed and left their mark on Dumas and Moore County.
Dogie Days
Old Timer's Celebration in the 1900's led to the modern day Dogie Days. A barbecue has always been an important part of the celebrations.
Dumas youth wrestling
An exhibit was featured at Window on the Plains Museum in 2019 and recognized the Dumas Youth Wrestling Club, and its founder, Dean Collins.

Everyday Chores
The number of chores necessary to keep a family going seemed never ending in the early days of Moore County. W. J. Morton remembered all the chores in a story in "Windswept Land."
First Census
The first census of the Texas Panhandle was taken in 1880, four years after the Indians were defeated and confined on reservations. No inhabitants were reported in Moore County. The 1890 census reported 1611 persons living in the 26 counties of the Texas Panhanle, 1188 males and 423 females. Most of the census is lost, only some end figures survived, which lists 15 persons in Moore County.
flagpole
A flagpole flying a Texas flag has been erected near the playground at Window on the Plains Museum. It is not just an ordinary flagpole, but one that carries a history unique to Moore County and possibly the entire country. It was made by Prisoners of War from World War II.

greeting Cards
Sending greeting cards dates back to the ancient Chinese and to the Egyptians who use papyrus to send messages. Cards appeared in the United States in the 1940's.
Highway Markers
Moore County is filled with history any direction you go and that history is marked with historical markers along the roads. The markers tell of the cattle trails, explorers who crossed the county, industries, geological findings, and other facts of history.
Letter to the Editor
Letter to Editor tells of moving to Moore County in 1902 and returns as pastor of church.

Meteorites
Space rocks or meteorites have been found in several places in Moore County. Some have been large and other small.
Moon shot
Moon Shot is a word that fits only in baseball. One Dumas resident is more familiar with the word than most. He was part of the original "Moon shot." 
Naming the Counties
Each county in the Texas Panhandle were named after someone in the county or someone who was important to the history of Texas.

Old Henry the Mule
One of the mules on the farm was Old Henry. Henry was not an ordinary mule, but was one with a distinct personality.
Sandy
​the Golden Palomino
The legend of Sandy the Palomino horse is well known -- especially to students who attended school at Sunset school.
timeline
Moore County history is told in a timeline beginning in the late 1800's. The first 75 years are outlined in this story.

More Bits of History
  • Home
  • Window on the Plains Museum
    • Membership Information
    • Exhibits
    • Bits of History >
      • Exhibits Stories
      • People & Families of Moore County
      • Military
      • Law Enforcement
      • Businesses & Industries of Moore County
      • Crimes in Moore County
      • Miscellaneous History of Moore County
    • Museum Day
    • Christmas Open House
    • Gift Shop >
      • Clay Sculptures
    • School Programs
    • Night at the Museum
  • The Art Center
    • Membership Information
    • Upcoming Exhibits
    • Upcoming Workshops >
      • Kids Summer Classes
  • Upcoming Events
  • Overnight Accomodations