Davick Services - Where Texas history is preserved and shared

 

Life in Dickens County Texas 1800 - 1950
Cowboy Dance on Spur RanchCowboy Dance on Spur Ranch

In 1918 the cowboys of the Spur Ranch held a cowboy dance near Spur Texas.

Spur Ranch Cook RestingSpur Ranch Cook Resting

In 1909 the Spur Ranch cook found time for a little rest under the fly of his Chuck Wagon

Cowboys Adjust Chuck Wagon HarnessCowboys Adjust Chuck Wagon Harness

In 1909 two cowboys adjust the harnesses while another holds the reins on the chuck wagon laden with bed rolls before breaking for the night near Spur Texas

Spur Inn in 1910Spur Inn in 1910

Photo by Erwin E. Smith of the Spur Inn in Spur Texas in 1910

Cutting Out a Yearling in 1908Cutting Out a Yearling in 1908

Nice photo by Erwin E. Smith of cowboys seperating a yearling calf from the rest of the herd on the Spur Ranch in 1908

Jim Smith and Newt Cravy After Their 1,350 Mile Trail RideJim Smith and Newt Cravy After Their 1,350 Mile Trail Ride

In 1912 two Dickens County cowboys, Jim Smith and Newt Cravy, were hired by the Swenson Ranch to travel with several carloads of cattle by rail from Spur Texas to Cleveland Ohio. The trip took 36 hours to complete and the cowboys were rewarded with new suits, shirts, hats and boots and gave each of them pocket watches which they proudly showed off in this great old photo.

Spur Ranch in Dickens County in 1908Spur Ranch in Dickens County in 1908

 

SMS Ranch in Dickens County in May 1939 SMS Ranch in Dickens County in May 1939

Great old action shot of cowboys at work on the SMS ranch in Dickens County Texas in May 1939

Three Men in Spur Texas in 1920sThree Men in Spur Texas in 1920s

In the 1920s three men posed in front of and on top of a Model T for this great old photo in Spur Texas

Welcome to Spur Texas in 1900Welcome to Spur Texas in 1900

Along about 1900 the citizens of Spur Texas stretched a Welcome banner across main street and gathered on foot, in buggies and wagons to welcome someone to town.

McAdoo Cowboys in 1911 Dickens County Texas 1911McAdoo Cowboys in 1911 Dickens County Texas

In 1911 nine cowboys (probably from the Pitchfork Ranch) posed for this amazing photo in McAdoo Texas. The original photo was given to my grandmother, Ludie Mills Sanderson by her brother Sid Mills and then passed down to my mother, Elna Sanderson Bloys. Sid Mills worked on the Pitchfork ranch for most of his life.

Spur Ranch Cowboys around Hoodlum Wagon in 1910Spur Ranch Cowboys around Hoodlum Wagon in 1910

Eight Cowboys gather around the Hoodlum wagon on the Spur Ranch in 1910. One of the cowboys looks to be about 10 years old. A hoodlum wagon was a specialty wagon used for hauling branding irons, tent posts and other gear. The Spur Ranch had its beginning in 1878 . . . Read more View full size

Chuck Wagon on ranch near Spur, Texas in 1939Chuck wagon on ranch near Spur, Tx 1939

Chuck Wagon on ranch near Spur, Texas in 1939 with dining area for cowboys under tarpaulin for shade . . . see full size

Cook of the SMS Ranch 1939Cook of the SMS Ranch Dickens County Tx 1939
Cowboys Gather around Wagon in 1939

Cowboys gather around wagon loaded with brush in Dickens County in 1939. The older cowboy was a top hand nicknamed Shorty who worked for ranches across the area.

. . . Zoom in

Farmers Relax outside Store in Spur Texas in 1939Farmers Relax outside Store in Spur Texas in 1939

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Cowboy Takes a Nap in Bunkhouse in 1939Cowboy Takes a Nap in Bunkhouse in 1939

In 1939 a cowboy from the SMS ranch settles down for a quick nap in his bunkhouse in this rare look into the inside of a bunkhouse in Dickens County . . . zoom in

Dickens County Farmer 1939Dickens County Farmer in Spur Texas 1939

Cowboy Petting His Horse In 1939Cowboy Petting His Horse In 1939

In this iconic photo of a cowboy and his horse the bond between the two is crystal clear . . . See it full size

Two Farmers in Spur Texas in 1939Two Farmers in Spur Texas in 1939

Two farmers visiting in Spur Texas. Both wearing suspenders and one with the sweat stained hat so common among hard working farmers

Old Cowboy on SMS Ranch in 1939Old Cowboy on SMS Ranch in 1939

Interior shot of bunkhouse on the SMS ranch shows everything a cowboy needed in 1939

Bunkhouse Interior in Dickens County in 1939

Interior shot of bunkhouse on the SMS ranch shows everything a cowboy needed in 1939

Cowboy Eating in Front of Chuck Wagon in 1939Cowboy Eating Lunch Beside Chuck Wagon

Cowboy from the SMS Ranch in Dickens County eats from a pewter plate in front of the chuck wagon before heading into town in 1939

Girls Photo Spur Texas 1930sGirls Photo Spur Texas 1930s

Two beautiful young girls posed for this photo by the Arwell George Studio in Spur in the 1930s . . . look closer

Resources:

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Famous People from Texas County by County

Texas History in the 19th Century (Amazon)

Texas History by Category and Event

Postcards from the Panhandle (Facebook)

Famous People from Dickens County TexasMore Famous People from Dickens County Texas
Books about Dickens County People and Places

Books about Dickens CountyBooks about about Dickens, Afton, Mcadoo and Spur Texas

 

What's your Favorite Book about a Texas County, Town, Person or Place? Here's our best reads list County by County

 

Mysterious TexasTrue Stories of Amazing People and Places in Texas
 Loneliest, Least Populated Counties in Texas
Texas Cowboy HistoryBooks about Texas People County by County

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