Friona

When established by the XIT Ranch in 1898, this community was originally called Frio, after Frio (Cold) Draw, and it served as a shipping point on the recently built Pecos & Northern Railroad. In 1906, the George G. Wright Land Co. took options on area lands and initiated a colonization project, promising fertile land and a healthful climate to attract prospective settlers from Ohio to Kansas. The company erected a hotel, livery stable and a bank. The town's name changed to Friona when the post office opened March 16, 1907. Sarah D. Olson served as the community's first postmaster. That same year, Parmer County organized, and the Union Congregational Church became Friona's first church. A school opened the following year. A controversy between Friona and Farwell over the location of the county seat led to an election in 1913. Voters chose Farwell and Friona residents contested the results, but a court ruled in 1916 in favor of Farwell. That year, S.A. Harris began publishing a local newspaper, the Friona Sentinel; it became the Friona Star in 1925. Residents voted to incorporate the city in 1928, electing John W. White as mayor. In the latter part of the 20th century, Friona served as a regional marketing center for agricultural and beef products, and claimed the distinction of "Grain Sorghum Capital of the World." A June 1995 tornado destroyed the original historical marker for the community, and during the town's centennial year, 2006, citizens dedicated this replacement marker in City Park, across the street from the old Syndicate Hotel. (2006)

Friona is a historical marker in Friona, Parmer County, dedicated in 2006. It is one of 14 historical markers documented in Parmer County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 17 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 34.6380, -102.7181 near Friona. The nearest cataloged historic site is Friona Schools (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Site of First Church in City of Friona, Friona Women's Clubs, and Site of Parmerton.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5369002067. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.