Town of Claude

Duane's take

The way I tell it, I'm following the official marker for the town of Claude, Armstrong County, and this one's got some real characters in it. Pull up a chair. It started with a railroad.

When the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad built into this part of the Panhandle in 1887, a town started takin shape right along with it. Now, the first passenger train that came rollin through had an engineer named Claude Ayers. And Claude Ayers, apparently a man who knew an opportunity when he saw one, suggested the town be named for him.

The citizens agreed. Just like that. You have to admire that kind of confidence.

Before the name was even official, a man named Jerry Cavanaugh had already planted his flag. First resident of the whole place. And he didn't just show up, he gave land for the town.

That's the kind of neighbor you want. By 1888 there was a post office, with E.H. Trice serving as postmaster.

The town was taking shape, getting its feet under it. Then came the real test. In 1890, Claude entered a close race for the county seat of Armstrong County.

Close. That word matters here. Because when it came down to it, the tie-breaking vote was cast by a man named Chas.

Goodnight. Famous rancher. One vote, one man, and that was that.

Also in 1890, churches were established. A school followed in 1891, and among its early teachers was Laura V. Hamner, noted Panhandle historian.

Some towns get a railroad and a post office. Claude got a historian in the classroom. The town was incorporated in 1909, which is really just the paperwork catching up to a place that had already been making decisions for itself for over twenty years.

Claude Ayers asked for his name on the map. Jerry Cavanaugh gave the ground. Charles Goodnight cast the deciding vote.

And somewhere in an early schoolroom, Laura Hamner was already paying attention to all of it. That's a founding story.

What the marker says

Founded when Fort Worth & Denver Railroad built into area (1887). Claude Ayers, engineer on first passenger train through here, suggested town be named for him -- and citizens agreed. Jerry Cavanaugh, first resident, gave land for town. Post office was granted in 1888, with E.H. Trice, postmaster. Claude won a close race for county seat, 1890. Tie-breaking vote was cast by famous rancher Chas. Goodnight. Churches were established in 1890 and a school built in 1891. Noted Panhandle historian Laura V. Hamner was an early teacher. Town was incorporated in 1909. (1971)