Shackelford County

Shackelford County Offices

Shackelford County Town List

A merger of Bosque and Shackelford counties created Shackelford County. It was first established in 1858 and was reformed on September 12th, 1874.

One of Fannin’s “Red Rovers,” Dr. Jack Shackelford of Virginia, was in charge of the Alabama company during the Goliad Massacre. They were among the few regiments that the Mexicans did not slaughter during the massacre. He also paid for his soldiers to join the Texas Revolution hence the inspiration of the county name. The county seat is Albany.

Fort Griffin, erected in 1867, is located in Shackelford County.

Topography

Shackelford County in NorthWest Texas has 887 square miles of territory. About 35 miles northeast of Abilene, you’ll find Albany, the county seat. The center of the county lies at latitude 32°44′ N and longitude 99°18′ W. Between 1,200 and 2,000 feet above sea level, the county is covered with loamy clay soils and limestone from the Permian epoch.

Vegetation Cover

The northwest portion of the island is a one-mile-wide swath of blown sand utterly devoid of vegetation. Cross Timbers is the name given to the area in the county’s east. Lower Plains are on the region to the west. The Clear Fork of the Brazos River runs Northeast through Throckmorton County then continues southeast into Stephens County. The Clear Fork flows through a large swath of Shackelford County.

Climate

A temperature of 31° F is the norm in January. There are 97 days every year with an average high temperature of 97° F. The year-round average temperature is 64° F, with rainfall averaging 26.57 inches.

Mesquite and chaparral have taken over what was once an open prairie in Shackelford County. Some of the most common trees in the region include elm, cottonwood, hackberry, and pecan. The river and streams also have mulberry trees. Small creatures like opossums, raccoons, and white-tailed deer also inhabit the land and waterways. Great blue herons and kingfishers may be seen on the lake, while various species inhabit the uplands.

Albany: Shackelford County Courthouse

Fort Griffin served as a military fortification in Shackelford County, although the county was known for arson throughout the late nineteenth century. The Bee Hive is one of several saloons and gaming halls in Shackelford, founded in 1874. Women who cared for the Fort’s bison hunters and troops, like Lottie Deno and Big Nose Kate, also felt at home there. There was no law enforcement agency in Shackelford County, so vigilante organizations like the Old Law Mob and Tin Hat Band Brigade stepped in to fill the gap. These groups utilized executions and other forms of justice.

Shackelford County finally got its courthouse in 1875, more than a decade after Fort Griffin and its residents abandoned it. A new county seat was established in Albany. Vandals were able to break into the two chambers of the picket courthouse. It was an unassuming building at first appearance. The Vigilance Committee killed former sheriff John Lam in 1878 while he was imprisoned and chained in a makeshift county jail for livestock theft. The Vigilance Committee appears to be indifferent about the new courthouse’s construction.

The county’s modest but steady growth necessitated the construction of a new courthouse in 1883 to accommodate the increasing demand for additional judges. Dallas-based architect James Flanders designed the new facility. Even though he didn’t have a degree, he had experience from working as an apprentice in the field. The only courthouse built by Flanders in the 18th century is Shackelford’s Courthouse.

The courthouse’s textured plaster is a standout feature. The courthouse’s restoration, which was finished in 2001 and supported by the Texas Old Courthouse Preservation Program, involved the employment of many unique techniques. A stone-like scoring pattern is found in all fresh plaster. An angle was cut into an automotive brake tubing to approximate old-fashioned scoring lines to generate the internal scoring. Nearly 2,000 feet of lines had to be scored for this project. A little stick and a sharp rock were the only tools available. The new stone patches were tooled to resemble medieval craftsmanship. Renovations to the courthouse’s stonework will go unnoticed for the most part. The District Courtroom’s carpet was patterned after an original 1883 carpet was discovered during the 2001 renovation.

County Offices

The county judge must conduct hearings on applications for beer and wine licenses, admission to state mental health facilities, and particular purpose temporary guardianships for minors under the age of 18. Along with supervising elections and their administration, they also analyze the results. Judge Robert Skelton is the County judge, and the physical address is County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 225 South Main Street, Albany, TX. The mailing address is PO Box 2797, Albany, TX 76430. Through phone 325-762-9405 or Fax: 325-762-9406.

The county commissioner’s role requires hands-on service and decision-making.

The county judge appoints four members to the commissioner’s court. Each is chosen from a quarter of the population. The county judge and commissioners agree on the county’s budget and tax rate. Additionally, they maintain the county’s roadways.

Steve Riley is head of Precinct 1, and the office address is 298 County Road 119, Albany, TX 76430. The mailing address is PO Box 3067, Albany, TX 76430. Ace Reames heads Precinct 2, and the address to the office is 821 N Hwy 283, Albany, TX 76430. The mailing address is PO Box 3067, Albany, TX 76430. Precinct 3 is led by Lanham Martin, and the office address is 110 Fisher Street, Moran, TX. The mailing address is PO Box 3067, Albany, TX 76430. Cody Jordan is the Precinct 4, and the office address is 100 CR 241, Lueders, TX. The maligned address is PO Box 2405, Lueders, TX 79533.

The county prosecutor’s principal role is to represent the state in criminal cases. In collaboration with law enforcement, the county prosecutor prepares criminal cases for trial. If a county official submits a written request to the county attorney for legal advice, the county attorney will supply it. Rollin Rauschl is the County Attorney and is available via phone at Phone: 325-762-9410 or Fax: 325-762-9411. The mailing address is PO Box 2619, Albany, TX 76430. The physical address to the office is County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 225 South Main Street, Albany, TX.

Apart from enforcing laws and preserving order, the sheriff also endeavors to guarantee justice and seems to behave impartially. The jail division houses those arrested and charged with a range of offenses to keep the community safe. The jail staff must guarantee that these individuals’ rights are safeguarded and their health, safety, and well-being while in custody. Edward A Miller is the County Sheriff and is available via mailing address 791 U.S HWY 180, West Albany, Texas 76430, phone 325-762-9500, Fax; 325-762-9501. Alternatively, you can get in touch via email at [email protected].