Foard County Texas

County created out of Cottle, Hardeman, King, Knox counties and was named for Maj. Robert L. Foard of the Confederate army.  Comanches, Kiowas ranged the area until driven away in 1870s. Ranching began in 1880. ["Texas Almanac"]

Foard county was created from adjacent counties March 3, 1891, and organized the following April. The total population of the county in 1900 was 1,568; Crowell, the county seat, had 278. In 1903 the taxable values of the county were $1,614,770, and in 1909, $3,453,360. Until the completion of the Orient railroad through the center of the county, in 1909, the nearest shipping points were at Quanah and Vernon. The development of the county has only begun during the last few years. This is the wheat region of northwest Texas, and cotton, fruit and other farm products contribute to the wealth of the people. The progress of the county is reflected in the growth of the county seat town from a country hamlet, before the railroad came, to a new-built little city, with many of the municipal and business facilities of older and larger cities.  [Excerpted from "A History of Central and Western Texas, Volume 1, By Buckley B. Paddock, pub. 1911]