Year Built: 1912
Architect: Elmer George Withers
The Armstrong County Courthouse was built in Claude, Texas.
In 1887, Claude became a town and it was named after Claude Ayers at his suggestion. Claude was the engineer of the first train of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway to travel through the area. Claude won a close race for county seat in 1890. The tie-breaking vote was cast by famous rancher Charles Goodnight.
The Red River War of 1874 resulted in the ultimate removal of the Comanches from the area. The fighting came to a head in the battle of Palo Duro Canyon. With the American Indian threat removed, ranchers soon arrived.
The JA Ranch is a historic cattle ranch in the Palo Duro Canyon in Armstrong County, Texas. It was founded in 1876 by Charles Goodnight and John George Adair and is the oldest cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle. The headquarters of the ranch was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The ranch is still in business today, operated by Adair’s descendants.
