MITCHELL COUNTY, TX HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

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Mitchell County, Texas: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the vast expanse of West Texas, Mitchell County’s history was forged by the railroad and shaped by the subsequent booms in cattle, salt, and oil. Unlike many counties that grew slowly from pioneer farming, Mitchell County exploded into existence with the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway, which transformed its county seat, Colorado City, into a legendary Wild West boomtown. For genealogists, the county’s records tell the story of ranchers, railroaders, oilmen, and merchants who were drawn to this vital hub on the Texas frontier.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Mitchell County was created during the great wave of West Texas county formations in the 1870s and, like its neighbors, spent several years attached to an organized county before standing on its own.

  • 1876: County Formed: Mitchell County was created by the Texas Legislature on August 21, 1876, from the vast, unorganized lands of the Bexar Territory.
  • 1881: County Organized: For nearly five years after its creation, Mitchell County remained unorganized and was attached to Shackelford County for all judicial and administrative purposes. The county established its own government and began keeping its own records upon its formal organization on January 10, 1881. Any official records for residents prior to this date should be sought in Shackelford County.
  • Parent County: Bexar County.
  • Subsequent Formations: The original territory of Mitchell County was later reduced to form two new counties:
    • Coke County (1889)
    • Sterling County (1891)
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of two brothers, Asa Mitchell and Eli Mitchell, who were both veterans of the Texas Revolution and active figures in the early Republic of Texas.
  • County Seat History: Colorado City was established as the county seat when the county was organized in 1881 and has held that distinction ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was a traditional hunting ground of the nomadic Comanche people. The first significant Anglo presence began with buffalo hunters in the early 1870s, who decimated the great southern herd.
  • The Railroad Boom: The county’s true beginning was the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881. The rail line established a depot at a crossing on the Colorado River, and the town of Colorado City sprang up almost overnight. It quickly became the largest city between Fort Worth and El Paso, a vital railhead for shipping cattle and supplies, and a notorious “anything goes” boomtown filled with saloons, cowboys, and fortune seekers.
  • Cattle and Salt: Colorado City became the primary shipping point for the vast cattle ranches that covered the West Texas plains. The county was also home to a significant salt mining industry, with operations at nearby salt flats providing the mineral for preserving meat and other uses.
  • Oil Discovery: After the initial boom faded, the county’s economy stabilized around ranching and farming. A new era of prosperity arrived with the discovery of oil in 1920. The subsequent oil boom brought renewed growth and investment that has continued to shape the county’s economy for decades.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

All of Mitchell County’s historical records are highly centralized at the county courthouse in Colorado City.

  • County Courthouse: The Mitchell County Courthouse, 349 Oak St, Colorado City, TX 79512, is the main repository for official records.
    • County Clerk: This is the most important office for family historians. It holds marriage licenses (from 1881), all land records (deeds, leases), probate records (wills, estates), and official birth and death records.
    • District Clerk: This office maintains the records of the district court, which include divorce decrees, felony criminal cases, and major civil litigation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Texas began statewide registration in 1903. The Mitchell County Clerk holds the local registers for the county.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses from the county’s organization in 1881 to the present are held by the County Clerk. Any records from 1876-1881 would be located in Shackelford County.
  • Land Records: Land records are particularly valuable in Mitchell County due to its history of ranching and oil production. These records, including leases and royalty deeds, are on file with the County Clerk. Original state land grants are archived at the Texas General Land Office in Austin.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Mitchell County Library: Located in Colorado City, the library is the best local resource for genealogical research, with collections of local newspapers, family histories, and other historical publications.
    • Mitchell County Museum: The museum provides excellent historical context on the county’s boomtown origins, ranching heritage, and the impact of the oil and gas industry.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Scurry County (north)
    • Nolan County (east)
    • Coke County (south)
    • Sterling County (south)
    • Howard County (west)

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