Roberts County

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Roberts County, straight from the historical record. Now, some counties come into the world quiet and settle right down. Roberts County was not that kind of county.

It was formed from Young and Bexar territories, which tells you something right there. Two different pieces of Texas, stitched together into something new. The creation came on August 21, 1876.

Official. Done. Except, well, not quite done, because the county sat there, created but not yet organized, for over a decade.

It wasn't until January 10, 1889, that Roberts County finally got itself organized and ready for business. Now, the name. Roberts County carries a double honor, and that is not something you see every day.

On one side, John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. On the other side, Oran Milo Roberts, Governor of Texas from 1878 to 1882.

Two men named Roberts, two different pieces of Texas history, one county holding both of them. But here is where the story gets its legs. The county seat.

Miami got the job first, and held it right up to October of 1889. Then Parnell took over, and Parnell held on until August 1, 1898. Then Miami came back.

Miami has had the seat ever since. Two Roberts. Three runs at a county seat.

One piece of the Texas Panhandle that took its time, but got there.

What the marker says

Formed from Young and Bexar territories. Created August 21, 1876. Organized January 10, 1889. Named in honor of John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and Oran Milo Roberts, Governor of Texas, 1878-1882. County seat, Miami, to October, 1889; Parnell, to August 1, 1898, Miami, since.