The broken topography and rolling terrain north of the Canadian River contrast with that of the Llano Estacado to the river’s south. A Texas state historical marker notes the site of Old Tascosa, a cattle shipping and supply point for the large ranches in the vicinity and a wild town of cowboys, outlaws, saloons, and dance halls. Tascosa became the county seat when Oldham County was formed in 1880, but the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway bypassed it in 1887, leading to steady decline. The county seat was moved to Vega in 1915, and only the stone courthouse (TP1) remains of the cow town that rivaled Dodge City, Kansas, in western lore. Nothing remains of the town structures or street grid. Rancher Julian Bivins donated 120 acres, including the former Tascosa townsite, in 1939 for Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch. Farley, an Amarillo businessman and world wrestling champion, established the ranch to help troubled boys (and now girls too).
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