Local History

Snapshots from the Digital Windshield

tomb of christ
Waypoints

Tomb of Christ Replica: A Quiet Stop in West Texas

June 8, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
If you drive through the expansive cotton fields of West Texas, the flat horizon becomes familiar. Just a few miles west of Brownfield, Texas, a unique landmark catches the eye: The Roadside Tomb of Christ. This humble Christian shrine offers a peaceful place to pull over and reflects the local faith of rural Texas. For road-weary travelers, it provides a […]
terry county
Waypoints Detours

Terry County, Texas

June 8, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
Terry County sits on the South Plains of West Texas. It started as a rugged frontier and has grown into a leading agricultural area. The county was established in 1876, officially organized in 1904. The county is named for Frank Terry, a well-known Texas Ranger and Confederate colonel. At first, the area was open rangeland where nomadic Comanche hunters lived. […]
Waypoints

Making Sense of FMs, RMs, and the Asphalt in Between

June 8, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
If you’ve driven through Texas, you’ve probably seen Farm-to-Market (FM) and Ranch-to-Market (RM) roads. Maybe you’ve wondered what really sets them apart. Are FM roads for tractors and RM roads just for cattle trailers? Few things compare to the simple joy of driving along a winding stretch of Texas backroad. Imagine rolling down your windows, feeling the warm breeze, and […]
Bailey County
Waypoints Detours

Bailey County, Texas

June 8, 2026 BBQGRAIL 0
Bailey County sits on the western edge of the Texas Panhandle. It lies right next to the New Mexico border. Founded in 1876, the county was officially organized in 1919. It covers about 835 square miles of flat, sandy land. The county was named after Peter James Bailey III. He was a Kentucky lawyer who died defending the Alamo. History […]
Waypoints

Needmore And It’s Hardscrabble Life

June 3, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
I spend a considerable amount of windshield time driving between appointments in the Texas Panhandle, Staked Plain, and West Texas. I enjoy driving by and through small towns, especially those with strange or interesting names. Recently, I drove through Needmore in Bailey County, Texas. A little research revealed that many settlers in out-of-the-way places had an interesting sense of humor. […]
Waypoints

Bob’s Oil Well

May 22, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
At the crossroads of U.S. Highway 70 and Texas Highway 70 in the small West Texas town of Matador, Texas, located in Motley County, you’ll find one of the state’s most memorable roadside landmarks: Bob’s Oil Well. It was once a busy service station, café, tourist stop, and local hangout. Today, it still stands as a reminder of the golden […]
Waypoints Detours

Matador, Texas

May 22, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
Matador, Texas, located in Motley County, started as a small frontier settlement in the late 1800s and quickly became the heart of ranching in Northwest Texas. After becoming the county seat of Motley County in 1891, the town grew along with the famous Matador Ranch. Scottish investors founded the ranch in 1879, bringing jobs and business to the area and […]