XIT Ranch Headquarters, Fifth and West Railroad Avenue, Channing, Hartley County, TX

2008 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Honorable Mention
Significance: ...Between 1898-1899, the general offices for the XIT Ranch were constructed in Channing. The 2-room building was constructed from 5 railroad cars of red bricks, and was finished with Victorian detailing to impress its visitors. With its wraparound porch, turned wood columns, decorative eave brackets, and brightly painted trim, the XIT main headquarters was easily distinguishable form its surrounding ranch environment. Because profits form the XIT Ranch were minimal, the capitol syndicate began to sell parcels of land in order to redeem bonds due to their British investors. The last of the XIT cattle was sold on November 1, 1912, and the ranch was forced to close its doors. Parcels of original XIT ranchland remained as late as 1963, before being sold by descendants of the Farwell brothers...
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N1358
Survey number: HABS TX-3537
Building/structure dates: 1899 Initial Construction