Parnell

(One mile east) Roberts County was created on Aug. 21, 1876, by the Texas Legislature, but remained unorganized, as in that year it had only one settler. Its 1880 population was 32. After the Santa Fe Railroad was built across this area in 1887, settlement increased. A Jan. 1889 election to organize the county was invalidated by fraudulent voting. However, the disqualified officers opened a courthouse in a vacant store in Miami (20 mi. SSE), the county seat according to the contested election, and placed the records in a heavy safe. The legally elected authorities later obtained the records by hiring a gunman to impersonate a landowner and to capture the safe when it was opened. Hauled to the legal county seat near this site, the safe was set on blocks and a 2-story frame courthouse was built around it. First known as Bennett and then as Oran, the town was renamed Parnell when the U.S. Post Office opened in March 1890. Parnell had a few businesses, about 12 residences, a school, and a saloon. Guests rode 25 to 30 miles to attend dances in the courthouse. Those attending court in Parnell had to camp out, as the hotel was small. Miami became county seat in 1898, and Parnell was abandoned. (1973, 1986)

Parnell is a historical marker in Miami, Roberts County, dedicated in 1973. It is one of 9 historical markers documented in Roberts County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 11 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.8962, -100.8188 near Miami. The nearest cataloged historic site is Miami Cemetery (historical marker), about 17 miles away. Others within a short drive include Colonel O. M. Roberts, Cottage Hotel, and Roberts County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5393003948. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.