History of Hutchinson County, Texas: 104 Years, 1876-1980 Page: 61 of 526
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Hutchinson County Museum
The Hutchinson County Museum is the
showcase for the history of our area. Many
were here. Some stayed, the ranchers and
farmers and finally the oil men, whose boom
populated all the present towns after 1925.
Adobe Walls saw the largest Indian-Calvary
battle on record, and the defense of 40 buffalo
hunters from 700 Indians.
20-Year Search
From 1954 for 20 years after the state first
set up historical commissions to serve in each
county to be appointed by the County Commissioner,
members of the Hutchinson
County Historical Commission worked to get a
museum. The local commission had the
McCormick House in Stinnett designated with
a historic marker; but the time was not ripe for
a museum. In 1974, a county-wide referendum
indicated that the voters wanted a
museum.
Funds for Museum
February, 1975, saw the Hutchinson
County Historical Commission under John T.
White, Chairman, take positive steps to secure
a museum. No funds were available from the
county. The commission embarked on raising
its own financing by a Bicentennial Medal project
suggested by Eck Spahich. This medal
was a success. The intial order was doubled,
and the commission sold medals and other
items including historical postcards of the
early boom days to raise money.
The end of 1975 found sites being considered
for the museum. The projections of the
preceding commission and a study by architects
retained by them had indicated a
museum would cost $100,000. A bond issue
was submitted to the voters on the suggestion
of the County Commissioners in November,
1975, and failed.
Building in 1976
Older structures were considered in 1976.
In July 1976, the former Grand hardware
Store, 618 N. Main, Borger, owned by Dr.
Chris G. Yiantsou, was decided upon as a site
for the museum.
Dr. Yiantsou had already donated cash to
the commission and agreed to exchange thisdonation for the building, so the county
obtained the building on the birthday month of
the County, State, and Nation.
Francis Olson began at once as museum
contractor. A balcony was restored for its
1927 face. It was painted and roofed: a storage
area was set aside: an entry made to the
upstairs where a conference room and office
was finished.
Designer Hired
Ed Benz of Canyon, was hired as the
museum consultant. The design for the exhibits
were submitted by February, 1977. In April
of that year the Borger Chamber of Commerce
voted to fund the talking mannequin
exhibit, who recites the county's history by
slides.
The museum took shape. Over $30,729
was raised by donations as of September
1977 most from the following donors: Phillips
Petroleum Company, Moody Foundation of
Galveston; Borger Chamber of Commerce;
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Pace; Amarillo Area
Foundation; Walter D. Johnston Estate: Dr.
and Mrs. Chris G. Yiantsou; First National
Bank of Stinnett: Anne W. Luginbyhl: Mrs. E.J.
(Theresa) Smith: Mrs. Ann C. White; First
National Bank, Borger: Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Burgess;
Stinnett; Mr. and Mrs. John T. White;
Knight Drilling and Exploration Company; Perkins
Protho Company; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
Benz and Panhandle Bank a Tactile Display
of 1900's, Ranching, County Pioneers,
Farming and a case on Early Industry, leading
into the Talking Mannequin.
The other side features the Boom Town display,
with pictures and items of that time,
together with Thomas Hart Benton paintingBoom Town Scene in Museum
White, Riemer and Harris
Commission's Flag
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History of Hutchinson County, Texas: 104 Years, 1876-1980 (Book)
History book describing Hutchinson County, Texas, featuring local history, photographs, illustrations, and biographies.
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Hutchinson County Historical Commission. History of Hutchinson County, Texas: 104 Years, 1876-1980, book, 1980; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20204/m1/61/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hutchinson County Genealogical Society.