Region: Panhandle Plains
Matador was the designated county seat when Motley County was organized in
1891. The county was named for Dr. J.W. Mottley (name was misspelled in the
law), signer of Texas Declaration of Independence who was killed at San Jacinto.
The city was named for the Matador Land and Cattle Co., originally organized in
1882 by a Scottish syndicate. The area was founded and settled by cowboys of the
Matador Ranch. The historic ranch house, with 26 rooms, was built in 1918 using
native rock at a cost of $26,000. Not open to the public. Today, the local
economy is still based on livestock and the farming of cotton, wheat and grain
sorghum.
Nearby Cities: Silverton, Floydada, Turkey, Paducah, Quitaque, Roaring Springs, more...