| Marker Number |
5293 |
| Atlas Number |
5415005293 |
| Marker Title |
The Block 97 Controversy |
| Index Entry |
Block 97 Controversy, The |
| Address |
US 180, near FM 1609 |
| City |
Snyder |
| County |
Scurry |
| UTM Zone |
14 |
| UTM Easting |
312851 |
| UTM Northing |
3622928 |
| Subject Codes |
land surveys, land companies, promotional towns; railroads |
| Marker Year |
1972 |
| Recorded Texas Historic Landmark |
No |
| Marker Location |
from Snyder take US 180 about 6 miles to marker near junction with FM 1609 |
| Private Property |
No |
| Marker Condition |
In Situ |
| Marker Size |
18" x 28" |
| Marker Text |
Notorious county land dispute arising from state practice of paying railroads in public land for trackage laid. Began in 1873 when Houston & Texas Central claimed, in error, some 300,000 acres of Block 97 which were in reserve for Texas & Pacific. Found in 1882, the error voided all deeds from H. & T.C. for lots in the reserve. Much land was unscrupulously resold, causing a decade of conflict over claims. Issue was decided only when 1899 Legislature, on authority of State Supreme Court, declared land to be state school land and gave settlers option to buy. (1972) |
