Marker Inscription
Named for William H. Hamblen (1878-1952), who in the 1890s pioneered a crude road (about 6 mi. N) into Palo Duro Canyon along old Indian trails. This cut 120 miles off settlers' trips to the courthouse in Claude, but was steep and dangerous. Hamblen and his wife, Ada (1883-1955), ranched near Wayside after 1905. He worked unceasingly to get a passable road through Palo Duro. Elected county commissioner in 1928, he at last had a graded road built. By decision of the commissioners court, the road was dedicated in 1930 as Hamblen Drive. With its paving in 1954, a dream of a lifetime was realized. (1968)
About this site
Hamblen Drive is a historical marker in Wayside, Armstrong County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 22 historical markers documented in Armstrong County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 28 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 34.7983, -101.4360 near Wayside. The nearest cataloged historic site is The S.P. Hamblen Family (historical marker), about 4.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include Dugout of W.M. Dye, The Charles Goodnight Historical Center and J. Evetts Haley Visitor, and Carroll, William A., M.D..
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5011004284. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
