Region: Panhandle Plains
Cross Plains was established as a post office in 1877. It was originally
known as Turkey Creek and Schleicher. It was probably named for the crossings of
stagecoaches and military roads before the Civil War. A historic marker is in
Treadaway Park where Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant camped with their troops
on the banks of Turkey Creek. East and West Caddo Peaks, visible from Texas 36
five miles west of town, were used as landmarks by Native Americans, soldiers
and government survey crews.
The city is the site of the original home of Robert E. Howard, creator of
Conan The Barbarian. Howard lived and wrote in this house from 1919 until his
death in 1936. Project Pride purchased the home in 1989 to preserve it as a
memorial. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Tours
available by appointment only. A large collection of first-edition books and
original manuscripts written by Howard can be found at the Cross Plains Public
Library.
Nearby Cities: Tuscola, Caddo, Buffalo Gap, Moran, Cisco, Albany, more...