Greer County, Texas

(To the east, in present Oklahoma) Created 1860; until 1896, one of largest counties in Texas. Organized at Old Mobeetie, northwest of here. In 1880s settlement was rapid; by 1892 nearly 2,500 pupils were in county's schools. A post office, jail and many houses were built, and over 60,000 cattle grazed the 3,480 square miles of the county's area. But for a half-century (1846-1896) the United States and Texas waged a heated dispute over Greer County. Controversy had origin in an 1819 treaty fixing the line between United States and Spanish territory. A map designating the Red River and 100th meridian as boundary lines was part of treaty; but map aroused dispute, for it incorrectly marked 100th meridian and showed only one fork of two-forked Red River. Texas claimed the North Fork and meridian shown on map defined territory, and legislation and occupancy by Texans decided sovereignty. United States contended South Fork (larger of the two) and true 100th meridian marked boundaries. Three joint survey commissions failed to settle the issue. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1896 ruled that the region was in 1819 part of the Union and thus, was actually part of Oklahoma. Named for John A. Greer, senator, secretary of state, Republic of Texas; lieutenant governor, 1847-1853. (1967)

Greer County, Texas is a historical marker in Shamrock, Wheeler County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Wheeler County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 41 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.2277, -100.0365 near Shamrock. The nearest cataloged historic site is Route 66 Bridge over Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad (historic place), about 3.9 miles away. Others within a short drive include Center Cemetery, Shamrock Cemetery, and Shamrock Methodist Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5483002277. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.