he wuz a good ole dog

 

May Family Cemetery

Tahoka Lake Pasture

Tahoka, Texas

out to pasture

 

Tahoka Lake Pasture

Lynn County, Texas

8.27.2016

old abe

 

"Old Abe" served as the emblem for Case Tractors for over 100 years.  It was retired in 1969 (so just how old is this tractor sitting abandoned in a pasture?).  Named after Abraham Lincoln, Old Abe, the eagle, was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. After the war, Wisconsin classified Old Abe as a “War Relic” and created an “Eagle Department” in the Capitol building, which included a two-room “apartment,” a custom bathtub for the eagle, and a caretaker.

 

Lynn County, Texas

8.27.2016

 tahoka's starbucks

 

A morning road trip necessitates refreshments.  Tahoka (pop. 2,673) has neither Starbucks nor Dunkin Donuts. However, the Tahoka Donut Shop is the place to get your fix!

 

Tahoka Donuts

Tahoka, Texas

8.27.2016

the sentinel of tahoka lake

 

The formal name of the place is Tahoka Lake Pasture, and yes, one drives an unpaved road through the pasture to get there. This gentleman didn't seem too concerned about our arrival but I still shot from the car!  About 20 yards off the road with no fence!

 

Tahoka Lake Pasture

FM 400 Lynn County, Texas

9.27.2016

architectural style?

 



In its day this storefront on the west side of the square was cool with the blue tile and rounded windows. Don't know it was '50s modern or some other architectural style. Today it is just sad -- another small town business closed. 

 

Gattis Drug

Tahoka, Texas

8.27.2016



end of summer

 

Sunflower Field

Lynn County, Texas

hometown christmas

 

Like most small town county seats, the main street of Tahoka divides around the court house square.  In bright letters, visitors and residents are greeted with "Merry Christmas" spelled on the roof of the 1916 court house.   Texas has 254 counties with more historical court houses than any other state; there are 234 court houses over 50 years old.  The Tahoka building is in need of renovation but the original paint and gilt trim remains in the unused third floor court room.  With a guide, one might visit the jail and the vault. The jail  As one leaves the square, the south façade has "Happy New Year" as the departing wish.  Patriotic pride and Christmas spirit abound in Tahoka. 

 

Lynn County Court House

Tahoka, Texas

12.21.2014

santa and the cat

 

Eleven months of the year Bill and Frances Chancy are typical Tahoka residents but come December they become Mr. and Mrs. Claus when their place south of town is transformed into Santa Land.  Visitors may drive through the four acres of light displays, nativity scenes, inflatable reindeer  and cartoon cut-outs.  Then you can park and visit with the Clauses - even the farm cat gets into the act!

 



entry to Tahoka Santa Land

Santa depends on donations to decorate the wonderland.  Who knew that empty bulk canola oil containers would make a Santa Land frame work for arches and fences and square presents!  The wonderful sunset was donated by Mother Nature.

 



Santa Land

Tahoka, Texas

the facilities

 

When the Lynn County Court House was built in 1916, jail cells were constructed on the third floor.  Modern amenities included plumbing, but no privacy.  The jail was handily connected via a hallway to the courtroom.  Upon hearing the jailbreak story, and if one looks closely, a blood stain may be seen on the marble wall.  During a jail escape in 1936, a prisoner wrested a gun from the deputy and fatally shot him.  The escapee was soon caught several miles away but the event is part of Lynn County history.  If you're in Tahoka, visit this building on the National Register of Historical Places and ask for a tour.

 

Lynn County Court House

Tahoka, Texas

3.17.2009