History of Seymour and Baylor County - Continued

Seymour became the center of a large trade area with people coming for miles to purchase supplies and pick up their mail. Seymour had become a distribution point for the mail which was brought in by hacks. The mail came from Graham and Wichita Falls and the horses and drivers would change in Seymour to continue on west with the mail.

During this period of time, the settlers were busy constructing homes. The most popular material used for homes was stone, as it was plentiful and cheap. The first rock home built in Seymour was constructed in 1879 and is still being used today. Some homes were built of lumber which was hauled from Weatherford (Texas) and Fort Worth by wagon, thus making it very expensive.

The first newspaper was published in 1879 and the first courthouse was built in 1884. The First National Bank was organized in 1891 and is still in business at the same location today. The first railroad came in 1890. Also in 1890, 24 kerosene street lights were installed. The first telephones were installed in 1897. (The picture on the right shows the first linemen, Carter McWhorter and Jim Lunsford.) The first switchboard was established in 1908 by Rachel and Jim Lunsford.

Seymour became the meeting point for cowboys from all over the western part of Texas.

In 1896, an event was held in Seymour which was the first of its kind. It was called the Cowboy Reunion and was so popular that it became a tradition and is still held each year in July. There is no known record of any Cowboy Reunion held earlier than the one Seymour had in July of 1896.

In the early 1920's, Lake Kemp was completed ten miles north of Seymour. The Lake became a favorite spot for fishing and all types of water sports. Read more about the holiday that became Fish Day.

Today Seymour is a clean, friendly progressive city, with good schools, churches, outstanding City and County government, a modern up-to-date hospital, good shopping facilities, many clubs and organizations, a beautiful city park and nearby recreation. Five major highways intersect the town and good highways go in all directions. Large farms and ranches dot the countryside. In the spring of the year, the fields are golden with wheat ready for harvest. In the fall and winter months, cattle graze on the wheat fields. However, the most important resource in Seymour is the people; people who have carried on the tradition of the early-day pioneers who came to this vast land, stayed to make it their home and made this a good place to live and raise their families.

The vision and foresight of the early-day settlers has paid off. This hard work was not in vain – today Seymour is still the meeting place for people from all over Texas.

An expanded history Baylor County was compiled in Salt Pork to Sirloin volumes I & II, and Latchstrings. All three books were compiled by the Baylor County Historical Survey Committee and published by Nortex Press in Wichita Falls.

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