You’ll find Norfleet, Texas, three miles west of Hale Center, where entrepreneur J. Frank Norfleet established a hopeful railroad settlement in 1907. The town briefly thrived with a school, stores, and post office before the financial panic of 1907 derailed its future. Today, only remnants mark where this ranching community once stood, though its founder’s legacy as a self-made detective who tracked down over 100 criminals tells an even more fascinating tale.
Key Takeaways
- Norfleet was established in 1907 near Hale Center, Texas, as a railroad town but failed when the Panhandle Short Line Railroad plans collapsed.
- The town featured essential establishments including a post office, school, and various businesses before its decline into a ghost town.
- The financial panic of 1907 severely impacted Norfleet’s development, leading to widespread business failures and population exodus.
- Named after Jasper Frank Norfleet, the town is located 10 miles west of Hale Center and three miles from its original location.
- Competition from nearby towns and the railroad’s abandonment ultimately led to Norfleet’s transformation into a ghost town.
The Birth of a Railroad Dream (1907)
Three miles west of Hale Center, a small settlement called Norfleet emerged in 1907 when local entrepreneur Jasper Frank Norfleet laid out his ambitious vision for a railroad town.
With high railroad expectations and soaring community aspirations, Norfleet platted the town on open Texas plains, gambling on the promise of an incoming rail line that would transform this patch of Hale County into a thriving hub of commerce. The proposed Panhandle Short Line Railroad had sparked hopes throughout the region.
On open Texas plains, Norfleet dreamed of a railroad empire, staking his town’s future on steel rails and promised prosperity.
You’d have found a burst of initial activity as several businesses opened their doors and a post office began operations. The Copenhagen post office was relocated to serve the new town. A new school launched on September 18, 1907, signaling the town’s commitment to permanence.
But Norfleet’s dreams hinged entirely on those steel rails that never materialized. The financial panic of 1907 dealt a cruel blow, and by 1910, those grand aspirations had crumbled into dust.
J. Frank Norfleet: From Rancher to Town Founder
Born in Lampasas County, Texas, in 1865, Jasper Frank Norfleet emerged from humble beginnings as a cowboy to become one of the High Plains’ most intriguing figures.
You’ll find Norfleet’s upbringing deeply rooted in the untamed Texas frontier, where he honed his skills during buffalo hunts across the Llano Estacado and cattle drives near San Angelo. His father’s service as a Texas Ranger during the Civil War instilled in him a strong sense of justice.
After facing ranching challenges as a drover for the Snyder brothers, he climbed the ranks to become foreman of the prestigious Spade Ranch. He ultimately achieved significant wealth, amassing $45,000 from his ranching ventures by the age of 54.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own ranch near Plainview, where he’d later found the town bearing his name.
While he’s best known for his remarkable transformation into a self-made detective who captured over 100 criminals, his impact on the High Plains’ development remains an essential part of Texas history.
Short-Lived Glory Days and Economic Collapse
When the newly established town of Norfleet emerged in southwest Hale County in 1907, its prospects seemed promising.
You’d have seen J. Frank Norfleet’s impressive frame ranch house standing proudly as local businesses sprang up to serve settlers and railroad workers. The town’s economic aspirations hinged on the Panhandle Short Line Railroad, with hopes of becoming a crucial trading hub.
A new Norfleet School relocated to the area, giving the growing community a sense of permanence. The town’s namesake would later gain fame as a skilled tracker who captured over 100 criminals between 1919 and 1935.
But community challenges quickly mounted. The financial panic of 1907 struck hard, while nearby towns competed fiercely for limited resources.
When the railroad struggled and ultimately shut down, Norfleet’s fate was sealed. Without its economic lifeline, businesses failed or fled, and the population dwindled.
The town’s glory days proved fleeting, and it soon joined the ranks of Texas ghost towns, leaving only historical markers to tell its tale.
The Famous Bunco Gang Chase Across Borders
The town of Norfleet shared its name with a man who’d become a legendary figure in American crime-fighting history.
After losing $45,000 to a sophisticated bunco gang, Texas rancher J. Frank Norfleet refused to accept defeat. Instead, he initiated an extraordinary cross country chase that would cover more than 30,000 miles.
You’d hardly recognize Norfleet as he donned various disguises to infiltrate the gang’s network. Armed and determined, he tracked these con artists who’d amassed over $1 million annually through their schemes. The gang’s mastermind, Lou Blonger, operated multiple saloons in Denver while orchestrating his criminal empire.
His relentless pursuit led to Denver, where authorities finally arrested 33 gang members. While racking up $90,000 in debt during his quest, Norfleet’s unwavering spirit captured national attention and marked a turning point in America’s fight against confidence crimes. One particularly dramatic confrontation occurred in the Everglades during a standoff with Joe Furey, where the con man escaped during a moment of mercy but was later recaptured.
Legacy of a Lost Texas Settlement
Situated 10 miles west of Hale Center in Hale County, Texas, the town of Norfleet emerged from James Franklin Norfleet’s ambitious vision in 1907.
You’ll find no trace today of the once-promising settlement that boasted a school, stores, and post office along the Panhandle Short Line Railroad.
The town’s cultural significance extends beyond its brief existence, embodying the spirit of Texas ranching prosperity and subsequent decline.
Norfleet’s rise and fall mirrors countless Texas frontier towns, where ranching dreams collided with harsh economic realities.
What began as Norfleet’s 20,000-acre ranching empire fell victim to the 1907 financial panic and railroad abandonment.
While historical preservation efforts haven’t maintained physical structures, the ghost town’s legacy lives on through the remarkable story of its namesake – the determined rancher who later gained fame chasing con men across international borders after losing $45,000 to swindlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to J. Frank Norfleet’s Exotic Animal Collection After the Town Failed?
You won’t find definitive records of the animal legacy, as the collection fate remains undocumented following the 1907 financial panic that caused the town’s decline and shifted Norfleet’s focus elsewhere.
Did Any of Norfleet’s Famous “Five Dollar Strain” Racehorses Survive Elsewhere?
You won’t find any surviving racehorse lineage from Norfleet’s “Five Dollar Strain” today. Historical records don’t track the equine legacy beyond his Hale County ranch, leaving their ultimate fate unknown to modern breeders.
Are There Any Surviving Photographs of Norfleet, Texas During Its Peak?
You won’t find any verified vintage photographs of the town in historical archives – none have surfaced in major Texas collections, though private family albums might still hold undiscovered images.
What Became of the Norfleet Family After the Town’s Abandonment?
Like a mighty oak weathering storms, you’d find the Norfleet descendants continued ranching operations, with James pursuing con artists while Mattie managed the ranch, preserving their family legacy through perseverance.
Can Visitors Still Access the Original Norfleet Town Site Today?
You can access the original town site, though there aren’t any notable town remnants visible today. There aren’t official access restrictions, but you’ll need to navigate rural roads carefully.
References
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=91329
- https://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/05/17/james-franklin-norfleet-a-cowboy-with-a-plan/
- https://www.texasescapes.com/TexasPanhandleTowns/Norfleet-Texas.htm
- https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/norfleet-james-franklin
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Texas
- https://discovertexasoutdoors.com/places/norfleet-texas-the-short-lived-town-that-carried-a-ranchers-name/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Frank_Norfleet
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=152057
- https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/norfleet-tx
- https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=County&FilterState=Texas&StartAt=1&County=Hale+County
