2:00 – Tour the White Deer Land Museum

Remember the Pampa High School Class of ’63 Reunion?  On the program was listed the tour of the White Deer Land Museum.  “Might as well go”.  So we did, and were we surprised – amazed – and educated.  Even Ever-Lovin’ said he learned something about his hometown.

The White Deer Land Office building was the last headquarters of the White Deer Land Company.  In this building are exhibits of the early days of the Texas Panhandle.

The pump jack out front is a reminder of the importance of the oil and gas industry in this area.

Each year Pampa hosts The Top ‘O Texas Rodeo, and it is a big deal.  There is an exhibit at the museum that highlights saddles.  I never realized there are so many different kinds of saddles, and they are most interesting.

There is also an exhibit showing the history of the Top ‘O Texas Rodeo.

Rooms and more rooms in the museum depict life in the Texas Panhandle at the turn of the century.  Cattleman Col. Charles Goodnight founded the Goodnight Baptist Academy.  The owner of this pennant attended the school in 1905.

Sweet Mother of Pearl.  I love the vintage clothing.  There are early wedding dresses, mourning clothes, and even a child in a little sailor suit.

 

This is one of the prettiest dresses I have ever seen.   It is pale blue with embroidery details.  The lace blouse is gorgeous, and the hat and bag complete the ensemble .  How lovely!

DYIers at the turn of the century were making human hair wreaths.  Sometimes you see mourning jewelry that has braided hair in lockets or pendants, but this wreath was for decoration.  I believe they said 5 different ladies contributed hair to make this wreath.  It is a sight to behold.

The vintage glassware in the dining room caught my eye.

Be still my heart.  Isn’t this a fantastic carriage?  (Or is it a wagon?)

These are the men of the White Deer Land Company.  There are stories to be told about each of these men and the influence thay had on the Texas Panhandle and especially Pampa, Texas.

The White Deer Land office is faithfully reconstructed.  This development company was formed in 1886 with 631,000 acres.  Captain Samuel “Burk” Burnett bought his Four Sixes Ranch (6666) from the White Deer Land Company.  (Sorry, he didn’t win it in a card game.)

One of the most interesting exhibits refers to the Red River Wars of 1874-1875.  Information from the brochure:

“In 1874-1875, the Red River War was fought between the U. S. Army and tribes of the Southern Plains.  As a result of this war, the Indians lost their home lands and were forced to move to Oklahoma reservations, the extermination of the buffalo continued, and the Southern Plains were opened to ranching, farming, and settlement.”  

There were few artifacts shown, but the information was most interesting.  We were told that upstairs there was an extensive arrowhead collection.  (It was very crowded, and we didn’t go upstairs.)  But if you are interested in arrowheads, do not miss that exhibit.

What a fine job the citizens of Pampa have done in this museum.  Certainly we needed to spend more time in the museum, and I hope to return someday.

Blessings to you and yours,