Washburn, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Washburn, Texas
Unincorporated community
Washburn, Texas Location in Texas
Country	United States of America
State	Texas
County	Armstrong
Elevation	1,074 m (3,524 ft)
Population  (2000)
• Total	120
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
GNIS feature ID	2805727

Washburn is a small, unincorporated community in Armstrong County, Texas, USA. This means it's a town that isn't officially governed by its own local government, but is part of the larger county. In 2000, about 120 people lived there. Washburn is also part of the larger Amarillo area.

History of Washburn

Washburn started as part of the huge JA Ranch in 1876. In 1887, the ranch was divided. Robert E. Montgomery then created the town of Washburn. He chose this spot because it was the end of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway line.

How Washburn Got Its Name

The town was named after D.W. Washburn. He was an important railroad official. He was also friends with and related to Grenville M. Dodge. Dodge was the president of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Early Days of the Town

When the railroad arrived, many things were built. These included water wells, a pump station, and a coal chute. There was also a section house (for railroad workers), a depot (train station), and pens for livestock. In 1888, another railroad track was built. This track connected Washburn to Panhandle.

Washburn quickly grew with tents, dugouts, and simple board shacks. It became a busy place for settlers, ranchers, and people from nearby communities.

Community Life and Changes

A post office opened in Washburn in March 1888. It stayed open until 1956. James Logue was the first postmaster. He was also the justice of the peace, which meant he handled local legal matters. In 1908, Logue started a bank. This bank later joined with one in Claude in 1911.

Washburn even had its own newspaper, called the Armstrong County Record. By 1890, it had three hotels and a building supply store. However, Washburn lost its chance to be the county seat. This important role went to nearby Claude after a very close election.

Decline and Revival

Over time, Washburn's importance decreased. Other railroad lines failed, and Amarillo grew into a major city. Many people moved away, and businesses closed. But the community's spirit remained strong.

Telephone service came to Washburn from Amarillo in 1896. A Methodist church was built in 1907. A Baptist church was then established in 1963. The town's population changed over the years. It was 25 from the 1930s to the 1950s. It grew to 100 in 1964. Then it went down to 70 from 1974 to the 1980s.

In 1984, Washburn still had a hotel, a grain elevator, and a business. Some people living in Washburn today travel to Amarillo for work. The population was 104 in 1990 and grew to 120 in 2000.

Washburn Today

Today, Washburn still has a working grain elevator. In the past, it also had a general store, a lumber yard, and two saloons. H.E. White owned the store, lumber yard, and elevators. James Logue also gave land for a cemetery in the community. The Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway also served the community.

Washburn's Location

Washburn is located along U.S. Highway 287. This is in the northwestern part of Armstrong County. It is about 20 miles east of the city of Amarillo.

Population Information

2020 Census Details

According to the 2020 United States census, 116 people lived in Washburn. There were 70 households and 63 families. Most residents, about 85%, were White (not Hispanic or Latino). About 9% were of mixed races, and 6% were Hispanic or Latino.

Education in Washburn

In 1889, a building was constructed in Washburn that served as both a school and a church. Around 1920, a community center was built. This helped to update school buildings and improve education. It also supported cultural events in the area. Today, students in Washburn attend schools in the Claude Independent School District.