General -

Grew at junction of Denver City and Rock Island Railroad lines that crossed here in 1901; first called twist, the designation of a railroad section, later Denrock, combining the railroad names, finally Dalhart, a syllable combination of two counties (Dallam and Hartley) in which the town lies. Current seat of Dallam county, and a shipping point for cattle, grains and other agricultural products.

the Dalhart community theater is restoring the La Rita Theater, a vintage 1920’s movie palace, for future stage productions at 311 Denrock.

Dalhart is located on the southern fly-way, hosting an abundant variety of fowl, but native pheasant population draws sportsmen from far and wide during hunting season.

Entire area was once part of the famous XIT ranch.

XIT Rodeo & Reunion honors dwindling numbers of old-time XIT ranch hands and celebrates the heritage of the huge ranch. Features world’s largest amateur rodeo; held annually in late summer.

Dallam-Hartley Counties Historical Museum-

Wealth of exhibits include railroad antiques, Indian artifacts, frontier firearms, cowboy clothing, saddles and tack. Also completely furnished kitchen, parlor and bedroom, c. 1900, and frontier chapel with pump organ. Open Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; art show and program first Sun. each month 2 - 5 p.m. 108 East 5th St.

Empty Saddle Monument -

A favorite photo subject, monument stands at north end of Dalhart’s V-shaped underpass. Designed by a cowboy after a widow asked that a horse bearing an empty saddle appear in annual reunion parade in tribute to her husband, a former XIT Ranch cowpoke. U.S. 87 North.

Lake-

Rita Blanca

Wildlife Management -

Fantastic opportunities for viewing and photographing various species of birds and other wildlife await visitors. In Oct., migrating geese stop over and the population has reached over 100,000. A pond located northwest of the wildlife management area offers fishing for area residents and visitors. On F.M. 281 south of the city.

XIT Ranch -

Famed XIT was world’s largest ranch under fence in the 1880’s - three million acres! The State of Texas, far richer in land than cash, granted 3,050,000 acres of land in 1882 to a Chicago corporation for construction of state capitol. An English company, the Capitol Freehold Land & Investment company of London, operated the immense spread that covered parts of 10 present counties. The north fence was 200 miles from the south fence; east - west distance was 27 miles, and 3,000 miles of barbed wire delineated hundreds of pastures, pens, residences and forage enclosures. Initial stocking herd of cattle numbered 110,721 head. Over the years XIT lands have divided and sold to "smaller" ranchers, some of whom control 100,000 acres or more.