LAMB COUNTY, TX HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Lamb County, Texas: A Genealogical Overview

Situated high on the Llano Estacado, or “Staked Plain,” of West Texas, Lamb County’s story is one of dramatic transformation. For decades, it was the exclusive domain of nomadic hunters and then the vast pastures of the legendary XIT Ranch. The arrival of the railroad and, most importantly, the discovery of the massive Ogallala Aquifer beneath its soil, turned this arid prairie into one of the most intensively cultivated agricultural regions in the nation. For genealogists, Lamb County’s records document the determined pioneers who made the High Plains bloom.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Lamb County existed on paper for over thirty years before it was formally organized, a critical fact for researchers seeking its earliest records.

  • 1876: County Formed: Lamb County was created by the Texas Legislature on August 21, 1876, from lands carved out of the Bexar Territory.
  • 1908: County Organized: Despite its creation, the county remained sparsely populated and unorganized for 32 years. During this time, it was attached to other counties for administrative and judicial purposes, first to Donley County and later to Hale County. Lamb County was formally organized with its own government on June 20, 1908. This is the date when its own record-keeping began. Any official business prior to 1908 would have been recorded in Hale County.
  • Parent County: Bexar County.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for George A. Lamb, a young soldier who died fighting in the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution.
  • County Seat History: Lamb County has had two county seats:
    • Olton: 1908-1946. Olton was selected as the county seat upon the county’s organization.
    • Littlefield: 1946-Present. After a contentious election, the county seat was moved to the larger and more centrally located city of Littlefield. All county records were transferred there.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The vast, flat plains of Lamb County were prime hunting grounds for the Comanche and other nomadic Plains tribes who followed the great buffalo herds.
  • The XIT Ranch Era: After the removal of the Native American tribes in the 1870s, the area became part of one of the most famous ranches in history. The XIT Ranch, a 3-million-acre cattle empire, covered all of Lamb County. For nearly two decades, the county was essentially a single, massive pasture, with only a handful of cowboys as its residents.
  • Promoting Settlement: In the early 1900s, the XIT Ranch began selling its land to farmers and smaller ranchers. A key figure was Major George W. Littlefield, who bought a large tract to establish his Yellow House Ranch. He actively promoted settlement and was instrumental in bringing the railroad to the area.
  • Railroads and Irrigation: The arrival of the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway (part of the Santa Fe system) in 1913 was transformative. It led to the founding of the town of Littlefield and gave farmers a way to get their crops to market. The true boom, however, came with the widespread use of deep-well irrigation, which tapped the massive Ogallala Aquifer. This reliable source of water turned the arid grasslands into a rich agricultural region, making Lamb County a top producer of cotton, corn, and grain sorghum.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records are centralized at the county courthouse in Littlefield, but researchers should remember the county’s early attachment to Hale County and its original county seat in Olton.

  • County Courthouse: The Lamb County Courthouse, 100 6th Dr., Littlefield, TX 79339, is the central repository for all official county records.
    • County Clerk: This office holds the most vital records for genealogists, including marriage licenses (from 1908), all land records (deeds, mortgages), probate records (wills, estates), and the county’s birth and death registers.
    • District Clerk: This office maintains the records of the district court, which include civil and criminal cases, as well as all divorce proceedings.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Texas began in 1903, but compliance in rural areas took time. Records from the county’s organization forward are held by the County Clerk.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1908 to the present are located in the County Clerk’s office.
  • Land Records: Because of the county’s unique history with the XIT Ranch selling off parcels to settlers, land records are an especially rich resource. They are held by the County Clerk and date from 1908. Original Texas land grant records can be found at the General Land Office in Austin.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Lamb County Pioneer Museum: Located in Littlefield, this museum offers excellent exhibits on the XIT Ranch, the development of irrigation, and the lives of early settlers.
    • Lamb County Library in Littlefield and Dugan Memorial Library in Olton have local history collections that may include family histories, newspapers, and school yearbooks.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Parmer County (northwest)
    • Castro County (north)
    • Hale County (east)
    • Hockley County (south)
    • Bailey County (west)

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