One of the oldest towns in the Panhandle, Canadian was founded in 1887 on the south bank of the Canadian River, from which it takes its name. By 1900, the town had become a major regional entrepôt and railroad division headquarters. It is one of the rare hill towns in Texas. Approaching Canadian from Perryton, one crosses the wide river plain on a high bridge within view of the old Canadian River Wagon Bridge preserved in a public park. Shortly thereafter, U.S. 60 reaches Main Street and ascends a hill through the downtown commercial district to the county courthouse (TP14) at the top. Among Main Street’s most imposing buildings are the restrained two-story Moderne City Hall and Municipal Auditorium (1929, Berry and Hatch) at 6 W. Main; the classical Happy State Bank (former First National Bank) of 1920 by Joseph Champ Berry at 200 E. Main; the red brick three-story former Moody Hotel (1910) at the corner of 2nd Street; and the Palace Theater (1909; 210 E. Main), which remains in operation as a movie house with its original illuminated marquee.
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