You’ll find that Dumas, Texas came close to becoming a ghost town in the late 1890s when environmental disasters struck the fledgling community. Founded in 1891 by Louis Dumas, the town faced brutal blizzards, severe drought, and a devastating grasshopper plague in 1893 that drove away most settlers. By 1900, only one family remained alongside Nield’s mercantile store. The discovery of oil in 1927 transformed this nearly-abandoned outpost into the thriving county seat you can explore today.
Key Takeaways
- Dumas nearly became a ghost town in 1893 after devastating grasshopper plagues destroyed crops and forced most settlers to leave.
- By 1900, only one family remained in Dumas, with Nield’s mercantile store serving as the town’s sole operating business.
- Severe environmental challenges, including brutal blizzards, droughts, and tornadoes, threatened the town’s survival during its early years.
- The town’s revival began in 1904 when Phillips and Son purchased the mercantile store, sparking new business development.
- The 1927 discovery of oil transformed Dumas from a near-ghost town into a thriving economic center with diverse industries.
The Birth and Vision of Louis Dumas
Born in 1856 near Sherman, Texas, Louis P. Dumas grew up immersed in agriculture and ranching. He married Florence Emberson in 1879, demonstrating his meticulous planning by preparing a well-stocked bridal home. Their wedding was unique as it took place at the Emberson ranch house.
You’ll find Dumas’ ambition reflected in his early business ventures, from farming to various investments in Sherman County.
His pioneering spirit led him westward in 1890, where he saw untapped potential in the Texas Panhandle‘s vast, affordable lands. He purchased two sections of railroad survey lands in Moore County and, with his associates, formed the Panhandle Townsite Company. In January 1891, he established the town’s first building which served as a company office and hotel.
Natural Forces That Nearly Destroyed the Town
Despite Louis Dumas’s ambitious vision for his settlement, natural forces repeatedly threatened to destroy the fledgling town in the 1890s.
You’d have found the drought impacts devastating, with the county courthouse well serving as the only water source for three decades. Weather challenges included brutal blizzards that disrupted crucial supply lines and killed livestock, while severe storms and tornadoes battered buildings and infrastructure.
When you thought things couldn’t get worse, grasshopper plagues descended on the region, destroying crops and vegetation. However, tough pioneers persevered through each setback to keep the town alive. Like the town of Cedar Mills, the area faced significant challenges when grain mills failed due to environmental conditions.
These combined environmental assaults changed the landscape dramatically, degrading soil quality and disrupting local ecosystems. The harsh conditions forced many settlers to abandon their dreams, and Dumas became a ghost town multiple times before finally achieving stability.
The Resilient Settlers Who Refused to Leave
While many frontier towns succumbed to the harsh realities of the 1890s, a core group of determined settlers in Dumas refused to abandon their vision of a thriving community. Their settler stories reveal remarkable grit – even when grasshoppers devastated crops in 1893 and a brutal winter followed, leaving just one family at the townsite.
You’ll find tales of pioneers like the Levertons and Spurlocks who established deep community bonds through shared hardships. Just like modern community contributions help preserve these stories today through historical societies.
Despite Louis Dumas abandoning his namesake town, these resilient folks created a self-sustaining hub. They built their first multipurpose building housing a hotel, store, and post office.
They hauled supplies from Amarillo, opened a school in 1892, and defended their property from threats. The milestone of first recorded marriage in 1894 between W. T. Sanders and Etta McNabb symbolized the community’s enduring spirit. Through their unwavering determination, they transformed near-ghost town status into a growing settlement.
Early Business Development and Growth
The resilient settlers’ determination laid the groundwork for Dumas’s early commercial development.
You’ll find the Porter Building, built around 1905, marked the beginning of the town’s business evolution. By 1917, when Meador Pharmacy opened alongside the introduction of electricity, community commerce was taking shape.
Adams Mercantile emerged as both a retail hub and social center, where you’d often see groceries waiting while patrons enjoyed shows at the Gem Theatre.
The town’s first building served as a multiple-purpose establishment for early settlers, housing everything from a post office to a general store.
The 1927 installation of utilities sparked further growth, while the 1931 railroad arrival revolutionized trade capabilities.
You could witness the transformation from early saloons to general stores, and by the late 1930s, industrial development flourished with American Zinc smelter, carbon black plants, and agricultural cooperatives defining Dumas’s expanding economy. Like many Texas communities such as Fairview in Wilson, the town maintained a modest population while steadily developing its commercial presence.
From Near Ghost Town to Thriving Community
Following a devastating grasshopper plague in 1893 and brutal winter of 1893-1894, Dumas nearly vanished from existence. At one point, only a single family remained, with the Nield’s mercantile store standing as the town’s sole operating business by 1900.
You’ll find that Dumas’s economic revival began taking shape through key developments: Phillips and Son’s purchase of the mercantile store in 1904, J.V. Mills opening a competing general store, and the establishment of the town’s first bank in 1908.
Community resilience shone through as residents weathered floods in 1916 and 1927. The 1927 oil discovery near Dumas sparked renewed growth, leading to economic diversification through textile production, furniture manufacturing, and processing facilities. The town’s rich history is preserved in Louise Carroll George’s Images of America book series. Louis Dumas and J. R. Wheat had established the Panhandle Townsite Company in 1891, laying the foundation for future growth.
Despite lacking early railroad connections, Dumas transformed from a near ghost town into a thriving economic center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Indigenous Tribes Lived in the Dumas Area Before Settlement?
You’ll find Native cultures of historical significance in the area included the Comanche, who dominated by the late 1600s, plus earlier Apache tribes like Lipan and Mescalero, and the Tonkawa people.
How Did the Great Depression Affect Dumas Compared to Nearby Towns?
You’ll find Dumas faced steeper economic decline than larger neighbors, lacking their diversified resources and relief programs. Yet, the town’s community resilience helped locals endure through shared hardships and mutual support.
When Was the First Permanent Church Established in Dumas?
You’ll find the first permanent church was established in 1892 when Dumas Baptist Church organized, marking a pivotal moment in church history and religious influence throughout the community’s development.
What Were the Major Employment Opportunities Before the 1900S?
With 6,885 cattle counted in 1900, you’d find your main work in livestock ranching before 1900. Agricultural practices like small-scale farming and working at local sawmills provided additional employment opportunities.
How Did World War II Impact the Development of Dumas?
You’ll find that WWII’s war economy brought minimal direct changes to Dumas, though nearby military infrastructure changes created temporary economic ripples through increased traffic and supply chain demands in the region.
References
- https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dumas-tx-moore-county
- https://louisecarrollgeorge.com/dumas
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Texas
- https://www.texasescapes.com/TexasPanhandleTowns/DumasTexas.htm
- https://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGhostTowns/Middlewell-Texas.htm
- https://www.dumasmuseumandartcenter.org/louis_florence_dumas.html
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79389311/louis-dumas
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumas
- https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/dumas-9780738570617
- https://dumaschamber.org/about-moore-county/
