Welcome! This self-led walking trail features 14 historical markers around the downtown square, each telling a part of Snyder’s and Scurry County’s story. Whether you have 30 minutes or an afternoon, this trail invites you to slow down, look up, and step into the past.
J. Wright Mooar, famed buffalo hunter, made history here in Scurry County. In 1876, he shot a rare albino buffalo, one of only two known in Texas. Mooar and his brother John harvested over 22,000 buffalo, supplying meat and hides to the frontier economy. A master marksman respected even by Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, Mooar later became a successful rancher and businessman. His legacy lives on near the Old Mooar Ranch, just 10 miles northwest of this site.
Scurry County is named after Confederate General William Read Scurry, a noted figure in the Civil War. He commanded with distinction in battles such as Val Verde, Glorietta Pass, and the Red River Campaign. Scurry played a key role in the recapture of Galveston in 1863 before dying heroically at the Battle of Jenkins Ferry in 1864. The county bears his name in tribute to his leadership and sacrifice during a pivotal era in Texas history.
Formed in 1876 and organized in 1884, Scurry County is named after Confederate General William R. Scurry. Its founding marked the beginning of structured settlement in this West Texas region. The town of Snyder became the county seat and center of commerce, law, and community development.
4. Scurry County Courthouse Site and Building
The original courthouse, built in 1886 from red brick, once stood where a buffalo trail crossed the town square. Surrounded by hitching posts and a community windmill, it was a hub for public life. The present courthouse, completed in 1911, once featured a grand dome which was removed during 1950s renovations. The courthouse square still anchors Snyder’s civic heart.
Company G of Scurry County, formed during World War I, was part of the 142nd Infantry in the 36th Division. Reorganized in 1924, it was mobilized again for World War II, serving with distinction across Europe and North Africa. The unit fought in major campaigns including Salerno, Cassino, and southern France, earning a reputation for bravery and resilience. Heavily decorated, Company G symbolizes Snyder’s proud military heritage and the town’s commitment to national service.
6. Scurry County’s Canyon Reef Oil Field
In 1948, Scurry County made headlines with the discovery of oil deep in the Canyon Reef Formation. More than 2,000 wells and $300 million investment followed, drawing thousands of workers. The field’s pioneering use of fluid injection and unitization helped double oil recovery and set national standards for petroleum engineering. This discovery transformed the county into a major oil hub, fueling its economy for decades to come.
7. County’s First Law Men
Snyder’s earliest days were wild, and keeping order was no small task. W.W. “Uncle” Billy Nelson was elected the first sheriff in 1884 and oversaw the county’s first jail. A tiny 8x10-foot frame structure known as the “Calaboose.” Frustrated by unruly cowboys, he resigned after six months. His successor, T.J. Faught, gained community respect by quelling bar fights with just a pool cue, never carrying a gun. Faught’s legacy lives on in 27th Street, once named in his honor.
Snyder’s newspaper legacy began with the Scurry County Citizen in the 1880s. Over time, the town saw eight papers and 39 publishers come and go, chronicling everything from cattle drives to oil booms. In 1950, the Snyder Daily News debuted as the town’s first modern daily paper. Through name changes and ownership shifts, the press has remained a vital part of Snyder’s civic life.
9. Santa Fe Railway in Scurry County
In 1911, the Santa Fe Railway laid tracks across Scurry County, linking it to wider markets. With depots in Snyder and surrounding towns, the railroad boosted agriculture, commerce, and later the oil industry. C.W. Post’s $50,000 donation helped bring the line through, proving just how vital railroads were to Scurry County’s early prosperity.
10. Site of the MacKenzieTrail
Colonel Ranald S. MacKenzie carved this trail through Scurry County during campaigns against Plains tribes in the 1870s. Used by hundreds of troops and supply wagons, it marked a turning point in frontier history. Quanah Parker once outmaneuvered MacKenzie here in 1871, but by 1874, the trail led to his ultimate victory. The trail crossed the original Snyder townsite and helped shape the region’s development.