Site of Epworth
(1883 - 1892) (1 1/4 miles southwest) First settlement in county. Established as a post office in 1884 by Horatio Graves of New York, a Methodist minister. Then only county resident, he planned to found religious colony here; named place for Epworth, England, birthplace of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Graves carried the mail from Estacado; also sold supplies to settlers and XIT Ranch cowboys. In 1891 he moved his post office several miles and started New Epworth; but drouth caused site to be abandoned in 1893. The residents joined with those of Hale City to found Hale Center. (1971)
34.0645° N, 101.8452° W
Where to Find It
Hale Center City Park, NE corner Main and E. Cleveland streets
Nearby Markers
- <0.1 mi SE J. Frank Norfleet Hale Center
- 0.1 mi SW Nils Akeson Hale Center
- 0.2 mi SW First Baptist Church of Hale Center Hale Center
- 1.2 mi SW Ranching and Farming in Hale County Hale Center
- 6.4 mi S The Stant Rhea Stage Stand Hale Center
- 8.5 mi W Center Plains Community Cotton Center