Claude, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude, Texas
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A view of downtown Claude, Texas, on U.S. Highway 287 with the historic pharmacy building on the left
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Location of Claude, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Armstrong |
| Incorporated | 1900 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.72 sq mi (4.45 km2) |
| • Land | 1.72 sq mi (4.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,402 ft (1,037 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,186 |
| • Density | 689.5/sq mi (266.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79019
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| Area code(s) | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-15196 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409473 |
Claude is a small city in Texas, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Armstrong County, Texas. In 2020, about 1,186 people lived there. Claude is located east of Amarillo in the southern part of the Texas Panhandle. It is part of the larger Amarillo area, but it's about 30 miles away.
Contents
History of Claude
Early Explorers and Names
Long ago, in the early 1500s, a Spanish explorer named Francisco Coronado traveled through this area. He and his group passed near what is now Claude and a beautiful place called Tule Canyon.
The town was first called Armstrong City. This name came from several large ranches nearby that were also named Armstrong.
How Claude Got Its Name
In 1887, the town's name changed to Claude. It was named after Claude Ayers. He was the engineer on the very first train that came through the area. This train belonged to the Fort Worth and Denver Railway.
Becoming the County Seat
When Armstrong County was officially created in 1890, two towns wanted to be the county seat: Claude and Washburn. The deciding vote for Claude was said to be cast by a famous cattleman named Charles Goodnight. He used to own part of the nearby JA Ranch. The main building for Armstrong County, the Courthouse, was built in Claude in 1912.
Local News and Culture
The first newspaper in Claude was The Claude Argus, started by W.S. Decker. Later, it joined with another paper to become The Claude News in 1890.
You can learn about the area's history at the Armstrong County Museum. It has exhibits about local life and the Old West. A famous movie called Hud, starring Paul Newman, was filmed there in 1962.
Geography and Climate
Where is Claude Located?
Claude is located about 28 miles east of Amarillo. The city covers about 1.7 square miles of land. There is no water within the city limits.
What is the Climate Like?
Claude has a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry, but not a desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 285 | — | |
| 1910 | 692 | — | |
| 1920 | 770 | 11.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,041 | 35.2% | |
| 1940 | 761 | −26.9% | |
| 1950 | 820 | 7.8% | |
| 1960 | 895 | 9.1% | |
| 1970 | 992 | 10.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,112 | 12.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,199 | 7.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,313 | 9.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,196 | −8.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,186 | −0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
People in Claude
As of the 2020 United States census, 1,186 people lived in Claude. There were 496 households and 369 families. The community is made up of people from various backgrounds.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 995 | 83.9% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 6 | 0.51% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 15 | 1.26% |
| Asian (NH) | 7 | 0.59% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 1 | 0.08% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 47 | 3.96% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 115 | 9.7% |
| Total | 1,186 |
Movies Filmed in Claude
Claude has been a filming location for several movies! These include:
- Hud (1963), starring Paul Newman.
- Leap of Faith (1993), starring Steve Martin.
- Sunshine Christmas (1977), starring Cliff DeYoung.
- The final sunset scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) was also filmed near Claude.
Education in Claude
The Claude Independent School District serves the city of Claude. Students attend Claude High School, where the sports teams are called the Mustangs.
School History
The first school in Claude was built in 1883. In 1907, a new, larger three-story building replaced it. This building cost $14,000 at the time. Sadly, a fire later destroyed most of it. The part that was saved and fixed up is now the Claude Junior High School.
In the 1930s, Claude had the only full-sized gymnasium in the area. Because of this, the basketball team from West Texas State College (now West Texas A&M University) often used it for their games.
Famous People from Claude
- Tom Mechler: He was the chairman for the Republican Party in Texas starting in 2015. He also works as an oil and gas consultant in Amarillo and used to live in Claude.
- Charles Howard Roan: He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in 1944 during the Battle of Peleliu while serving in the United States Marine Corps.
See also
In Spanish: Claude (Texas) para niños
