Friona, Texas, USA...
By Darla Bracken
From the text of the FRIONA historical marker placed in 1973 by the Texas State Historical Commission:
Originally called Frio [Spanish word for cold], after Frio (cold) Draw, when established by XIT [Ten counties in Texas] Ranch, in 1898, as a shipping point on recently built Pecos & Northern Texas Railroad. In 1906, the George G. Wright Land Company took options on area lands and initiated a colonization project, promising fertile land and a healthful climate [still true today] to attract prospective settlers from Ohio to Kansas, and erecting a hotel, livery stable, and bank. Name was [officially]* changed to Friona when the post office opened, March 16, 1907, with Sarah D. Olson, postmaster. The first organized church was Union Congregational Church, June 1907. School opened in 1908, and was one of [the first] first districts in Texas to use buses, in 1917.
A controversy between Friona and Farwell over location of the county seat led to an election in 1913, won by Farwell, contested by Friona, and settled in 1916, by a court ruling favoring Farwell. By this time, S. A. Harris was publishing a newspaper, the Friona “Sentinel”. The city was incorporated in [March] 1928, and John W. White elected mayor. Now a regional marketing center for agricultural and beef products, Friona claims the distinction of “Grain Sorghum Capital of the World.”
* Geoge G. Wright filed legal papers establishing Friona in November 1906. [Brackets are mine.]
Originally this marker was placed in the northwest corner of the City Park directly in front of or south of City Hall (now Friona Police Department). At some point it was moved to the Roadside Park ˝ mile east of Friona. In the 1995 tornado, the marker was permanently moved by the forces of nature and has not been seen nor heard from since. The Parmer County Historical Commission under the direction of Gladys Spring of Bovina, have plans underway to replace the marker in 2006.
There is quite a bit of work to getting a marker approved and even to replacing one that has already been proved up and approved by the State Historical Commission, as this writer can attest [Friona Women’s Clubhouse Marker, Sept. 11, 2005]. There is also a significant cost involved which is funded by the local historical commission and there are no breaks for natural disasters–(seems like they should be insured by the state or at least the county). But if you have ever stopped to read historical markers on your travels, you can appreciate these ‘thumbnail’ historical sketches of an area. The text is chosen by the State Commission from the application narrative the size of which also determines the size required for the marker.
Our debt of gratitude is great to those historically-minded citizens who shared their stories and to those who compiled and published them. Gathered into two Parmer County History books which cover the history nicely: “A history of Parmer County” ed. By Nelson Lewis c. 1974 and “Prairie Progress” ed. By the Parmer County Historical Commission, Hugh Moseley, Chairman c. 1981. The first volume covers from the beginning up until 1930. The second volume covers early history as well and family and business histories from 1930 to 1980. Both volumes are still available from the Parmer County Historical Commission for $25 each, a real bargain. Contact Gladys at: gladyss@amaonline.com
An update is needed for the Parmer County Centennial in 2007. We would appreciate your help in gathering updates of business and area history including historical photographs; a lot has happened since 1980. If you have stories and/or photographs to share, you may bring them to me at the Library or to the STAR or to the Museum, we will see that they are carefully handled and promptly returned. Ron has graciously agreed to a Centennial Photo Gallery and we could all enjoy viewing and identifying the photographs; so please share. DB