Antelope Creek Ruins

Plains Village Native Americans occupied a series of interconnected rock dwellings near here from about 1200-1500. Called "Texas' first apartment house," the ruins have been the focus of numerous excavations through the years. Made of native dolomite, the rock and slab dwellings averaged about 12 feet by 15 feet in size with a single opening, a long crawlway, on the east side. Other rooms contained a central hearth under four roof-support posts, while smaller rooms were thought to be for storage. Adobe platforms may have been an altar for ceremonial purposes. The ruins are located near a branch of the Canadian River, providing a perennial source of water. The creek bottom soil of sandy loam allowed residents to harvest crops including corn, beans, squash and pumpkin. The semi-sedentary natives also hunted bison, antelope, deer, and small animals as evidenced by the bones and tools found at the site. Artifacts recovered include small arrow points, beveled and oval knives, bone implements, grinding stones, and cord marked ceramics. Considerable information on the artifact assemblage and village structure was gained from the Works Progress Administration excavations from 1938-41 and subsequent interpretive works in 1946. (1997)

Antelope Creek Ruins is a historical marker in Fritch, Hutchinson County, dedicated in 1997. It is one of 22 historical markers documented in Hutchinson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 23 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.6247, -101.5353 near Fritch. The nearest cataloged historic site is Half-Dugout Site, of John and Maggie Weatherly (historical marker), about 7.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Fort Smith - Santa Fe Trail, Girl Scout Little House, and First Methodist Church of Borger.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5233012095. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.