Dalhart is a city in Dallam and Hartley counties in the U.S. state
of Texas, and the county seat of Dallam County. The population was
7,237 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1901, Dalhart is named for its
location on the border of Dallam and Hartley counties. Dalhart sits
at the intersection of U.S. Highway 87, 385, and
54.
Two miles south of Dalhart is Rita Blanca Canyon, site of Rita
Blanca Lake State Park. The city of Dalhart is known by many Texans
as a gateway to the Colorado Rockies. The city's position in the
northwestern corner of the Texas Panhandle -- only the town of
Texline is further northwestward in Texas—makes it a pivotal
stopover for travelers going to or returning from the
mountains.
Dalhart is also known as the "XIT City" because of its relationship
with the historic XIT Ranch. The ranch was a 3,000,000-acre (12,000
km2) plot of land traded in exchange for the construction of the
Texas State Capitol in Austin. The ranch was dissolved in 1912, but
its history is celebrated with the city's XIT Museum and the XIT
Rodeo and Reunion. Held annually on the first full Thursday through
Sunday weekend of August, the event includes the world's largest
free barbecue, junior rodeo as well as Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association events, three nights of live music, and a variety of
other offering to celebrate the occasion.
The Empty Saddle Monument, located at the crossroads of Dalhart,
was constructed in 1940 at the request of Bobby Dycke, the wife of
a ranch hand, to recognize the contribution of the XIT cowboys to
the history of the region. Dalhart was in the center of the Dust
Bowl, an area adversely affected by a long period of drought and
dust storms during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was here
that Tex Thornton operating on the now debunked concussion theory
coaxed today's inflation adjusted equivalent of $1 million from the
locals on claims he could fire rocket powered explosives into the
clouds and cause rain.
Congratulations to
both Skinner 879, dlwbsa, and S741 on the FTF during your epic
one-day, 5 state geocaching journey. It's great when a friend and
classmate can grab the FTF!
