The city of Quanah, Texas, in Hardeman County, along with surrounding counties and communities in North Texas and on the Panhandle’s eastern edge, have long celebrated their western heritage. This includes not only American ranching and horse culture, but also preservation of Native American history.
Additionally, this part of North Texas is ideal for outdoor adventures along the prairies, lakes and rivers, rolling hills and rugged canyons of the region. When you add local community events, and opportunities to enjoy arts and culture, it’s easy to understand the overall appeal here.
Let’s take a closer look at the draw of our region for residents and visitors alike.
Quanah, Texas, is home to United Country Real Estate | H5 Auction & Realty, and we absolutely love living here. The city is around the middle of the area we serve, which runs from Wellington on the northwest end to Wichita Falls on the eastern end, and as far south as Seymour and Archer. This includes eastern parts of the Panhandle and into North Central Texas.
These parts of Texas include the Panhandle Plains, with land ranging from mostly flat pastures and prairies to deep canyons and river valleys. It’s the kind of topography perfect for raising livestock, growing crops and running large ranch operations.
Quanah specifically is known for horse training and reverence to its historical namesake, Quanah Parker, a man who was apparently the Last Chief of the Comanche and a friend to Samuel Burkett of the renowned Four Sixes Ranch. Together, they revolutionized ranching in Texas and perfected the training of American Quarter Horses.
The preservation of Native Comanche heritage has been part of Quanah’s focus to this day. The vast Medicine Mounds Ranch features ancient earth-made Medicine Mounds from the early Comanche Nation, as well as restored historic buildings and structures. These ancient mounds provided medicine, community and security to the Comanche people, and they still remain a place of spiritual importance.
Folks around here don’t tend to stay inside long, especially with all the beautiful nature that surrounds us! Dazzling lakes such as the one at Copper Breaks State Park are great for fishing and swimming, and the park is also popular with hikers, campers and others seeking outdoor adventures in Northern Texas.
The region is filled with mountains, canyons and waterways that bring out recreation enthusiasts from all around. Besides Copper Breaks, there are some other great state parks in the area. Lake Arrowhead State Park in Wichita Falls has trails for hiking and horses, a large lake for water skiing and more. Caprock Canyons State Park less than an hour-and-a-half west of Quanah, features steep canyons and rocky bluffs. Bison roam the area while adventurers take to 90 miles of trails.
Over in Cottle County in Paducah, Texas, you’ll find the Matador Wildlife Management Area, 28,000 acres of forested uplands, rolling hills and water features. This wildlife preserve was established to research and maintain local animals and their habitats, and is particularly popular with birders and wildlife photographers. Just past the Texas-Oklahoma border is Quartz Mountain State Park, a perfect spot for rock climbers looking to take on Quartz Mountain or Baldy Point to see new heights.
Plenty of other spots stand out, as well, such as Baylor Creek Reservoir (AKA Baylor Lake) 12 miles west of Childress, or Pioneer Park in Wellington. But if off-road vehicles are your passion, you’ll want to check out Childress ATV Park and also Monkey Creek. The latter is on private land (accessible for free with a signed waiver), with some 2,300 acres south of Quanah. The ATV trails range from easy to difficult and there are some campsites.
If you have children interested in learning how to be expert anglers or the best ways to pursue big game, the Texas Game Warden Association offers youth programs for both fishing and hunting.
All those opportunities for outdoor recreation are wonderful, but that’s not the only reason people love Northwest Texas (although golfers should be sure to check out the Stoney Ridge Golf Course in Childress). There’s a lot more to enjoy here, from community events to museums, live music and theater and more.
If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you understand that gathering together for different events or holidays is a staple for these communities. Quanah’s residents celebrate their city’s namesake during the Annual Quanah Fall Festival. Since the 1980s, this festival has featured car and truck shows, crafts, entertainment and lots of food.
Up in Childress in the spring, the Old Settlers Reunion and Rodeo allows people to show off their riding and roping skills. During the summers, events such as the Summer’s Last Blast in Vernon feature an exhibition of fine cars and tractors, plus a burn-out contest and a cruise from classic muscle cars. And back in Childress, the July 4th Fireworks Show is a must-see event that includes a parade, Texas barbeque and other family fun.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable experience with an educational feel, the 3 Rivers Foundation at the Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus lets you witness the beauty of the stars, while you can also hike, camp and learn about the plains ecosystem. For historical museum outings, consider the Quanah, Acme & Pacific Railway Depot Museum; the Collingsworth County Museum; and the Childress County Heritage Museum.
For live music and theater, Wichita Falls has the Wichita Theatre, which urges visitors to “Savor the artistry. Embrace the innovation. Celebrate the community.” The venue features two stages, including one for dinner theater, and it also hosts classes and activities for children. Lastly, the Ritz Theatre in Wellington dates back to the 1920s and it’s a great place to catch a movie in a classic setting.
Sources:
TravelTexas.com
TravelOk.com
TshaOnline.org
Co.Hardeman.Tx.us
CityofQuanah.com
Nass.Usda.gov
Tpwd.Texas.gov
OkGenWeb.net
TexasGameWarden.com
HollisOk.org
TexasHighways.com
En.Wikipedia.org