Joseph J. Barton House, National Ranching Heritage Center (moved from Abernathy vicinity, TX), Lubbock, Lubbock County, TX

Significance: In 1891, Joseph James Barton came from the post-oak country south of Waco to the south plains. Barton secured 50 sections of land in the southwest corner of Hale County and founded the T. L. Ranch. Plans in 1906 that a railroad line to connect hereford with the Texas and Pacific at Colorado City through his property prompted Barton to found a town which he called Bartonsite. By 1909 Bartonsite had 250 people and was supporting a hotel, lumberyard, community church and school, and a post office. Then in 1909, Barton erected the two and a half story home which is now at the Ranching Heritage Center. The house was built in the late Victorian style with carved wood mantels and staircases and elegant wallpaper. Later when the railroad went through Abernathy to the east, the town Bartonsite was dispersed mainly to Abernathy. The house in its elegance represents the prosperity of the rancher which came after years of hard work in overcoming the adversities of weather, terrain and economic recession.
Survey number: HABS TX-3315