Claude...

Located along the heart of US 287, a half hour southeast of Amarillo, is Claude, TX. According to the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), the town was originally named Armstrong City when the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway built through the county in 1887, but the name was soon afterwards changed to Claude, after Claude Ayers, the engineer who brought the first train through.

Claude, TX

Today, the route follows thick patches of construction lanes as far as the corridor through town. The Armstrong County Courthouse surrounds gravel roads that cause motorists to take a deep breathe and use a steady hand to turn on. Yards from the structure are several Texas historical markers commemorating the community including the recognition of Coronado's decision to bring his caravan of men and dreams along the Texas Panhandle and further west.

Across from the courthouse are a row of buildings that currently offers an antique shop with a playful young dog looking for anyone to pull his rope and a plethora of .12 gauges. Next door lies a hotel that has not hosted company since the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was open for business.

Accompanying that is a former house for Humble gasoline and a backdrop to Paul Newman's venture into the Texas Panhandle. Paul Newman visits Claude

Going northeast just before the larger than life x-shaped signs signaling the previous generation's main transportation hub are The Claude News, which has been serving the community since 1890, the Gem Theatre, which was closed,

 

and Armstrong County Museum just next door. Armstrong County Museum

The door squeaks open. A plethora of postcards and books sit along a display case until a light chocolate hair Caucasian woman gears the mind, "Come this way as I get everything opened up." The museum has a plethora of items from local historic figure Charles Goodnight and his ranching empire, Charles Goodnight, a trail blazer

as well as the role of ranching in the region, in particular the JA Ranch.

From there one can view the history of the community in a Trader Joe type of environment where one aspect of society is tailored to the history of an industry.

From there the journey runs across several displays of various families who settled in the area generations ago and their ancestors.

A six-foot gentleman with grey hair and thin mustache walks the guest out to the front. "Safe travels and hope you come back again."