Details for Happy Union

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5189002369

Data

Marker Number 2369
Atlas Number 5189002369
Marker Title Happy Union
Index Entry Happy Union
Address
City Plainview
County Hale
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 250946
UTM Northing 3769341
Subject Codes cities and towns; agriculture, general; settlements
Marker Year 1983
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No
Marker Location from Plainview, take FM 400 about 10 miles south
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 27" x 42"
Marker Text Attracted by the availability of inexpensive land and a healthful climate, the families of J. T. Matsler, S. M. Pearson, W. P. Long, J. H. Calvert, J. V. Neil and others began settling this part of Hale County about 1890. They engaged in ranching and raising feed for stock, obtaining their supplies by rail from Amarillo. A mail and passenger service operated by Stant Rhea linked the settlement with surrounding communities. In 1897 the pioneers built a one room building that served as a schoolhouse, community center and place of worship for the settlement, which they chose to call Happy Union. J. V. Neil, W. H. Pearce and H. P. Darden were the first school trustees. Charles P. Shirley deeded two acres of land in 1908 on which a new schoolhouse was built. It was replaced by a larger stucco building that was used until the school disbanded about 1944. By the 1920s the community had a store and filling station built by Gordon and Mae Hansen, a cotton gin, and later a grain elevator. Irrigation helped make Happy Union a prosperous farming area which, despite its limited growth, has retained a strong sense of identity that reflects the community's pride and rich heritage. 1983