FOARD COUNTY, TX HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Foard County, Texas: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the Rolling Plains region of North Texas, Foard County’s history follows a classic Texas pattern: from the vast, open range of the Comanche and Kiowa to the domain of immense cattle ranches, and finally to the settlement of farmers and town builders brought by the railroad. Established at the tail end of the 19th century, the county’s relatively recent formation means that genealogical research is often a two-step process, requiring a deep dive into the records of its several parent counties before exploring the well-preserved records created after its own organization in 1891.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Foard County was one of the last counties to be carved out of the large territories of North Texas, so understanding its parentage is essential for any pre-1891 research.

  • 1891: County Formed and Organized: Foard County was created by the Texas Legislature on March 3, 1891. It was officially organized and its government established on April 27, 1891.
  • Parent Counties: The county was formed from existing territory taken from four counties: Hardeman, Knox, Cottle, and King. For any settlers, land transactions, or events occurring in the area before April 1891, records must be sought in these parent counties. The earliest land grants for this region were part of the vast Bexar and Young Territories.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its creation in 1891.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Major Robert Levi Foard, a veteran of the Confederate Army who served with distinction and later became a prominent attorney in Columbus, Texas.
  • County Seat History: The selection of a county seat was a point of contention in the county’s first year:
    • Foard City: 1891. Upon the county’s organization, this small community was designated as the temporary county seat.
    • Crowell: 1891-Present. In a contested election held later in 1891, the community of Crowell was chosen as the permanent county seat, a victory attributed to its better water supply and its strategic location on a proposed railroad route.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was part of the Comancheria, the domain of the Comanche, and was also hunting territory for the Kiowa and other Plains tribes who followed the great buffalo herds.
  • The Ranching Era: Following the Red River War of the 1870s, which resulted in the removal of Native American tribes from the region, the land was opened to large-scale cattle ranching. From the late 1870s through the 1880s, huge operations like the OX Ranch and portions of the Waggoner Ranch controlled vast tracts of land that would later become Foard County. The first Anglo-American presence in the area consisted of cowboys and ranch managers.
  • Farming and Railroads: The catalyst for change was the arrival of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway in the early 1900s. The railroad promoted settlement, and the large ranches began to sell off parcels of land to farmers, often called “nesters.” This shift from a ranching to a farming economy led to the establishment of communities and a significant increase in population. Cotton and wheat quickly became the dominant crops.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Dust Bowl: As part of the Southern Plains, Foard County was hit hard by the severe drought and dust storms of the 1930s, which, combined with the Great Depression, caused significant economic hardship and population decline.
    • Oil and Gas: The discovery of oil in the 1920s, with more significant booms in later decades, diversified the county’s economy, providing a crucial source of revenue alongside agriculture.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

All official records from April 1891 forward are located in the county seat of Crowell.

  • County Courthouse: The Foard County Courthouse, located at 110 E. California St., Crowell, TX 79227, is the central repository for county records.
    • County Clerk: This office is the primary resource for genealogists. It holds land records (deeds, mortgages), probate records (wills, administrations), all vital records (birth, death, marriage), and the minutes of the Commissioners Court, all dating from 1891.
    • District Clerk: This office maintains the records of the district court, which include civil cases, criminal cases, and divorce decrees from 1891.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in Texas in 1903. The Foard County Clerk holds local birth and death records from that time.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses from 1891 to the present are held by the Foard County Clerk. For any marriages taking place in the area before 1891, researchers must consult the records of the parent counties.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Foard County Library: Located in Crowell, the library is the best local source for published family histories, local newspapers (which may be on microfilm), and other local historical materials.
    • Foard County Historical Commission: This organization works to preserve the county’s history and can be a valuable resource for historical context and information.
    • Regional Archives: The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University in Lubbock holds significant manuscript collections, photographs, and oral histories related to the ranches and families of the Rolling Plains region.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Hardeman County (north)
    • Wilbarger County (east)
    • Baylor County (southeast)
    • Knox County (south)
    • King County (southwest)
    • Cottle County (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks