Childress County Heritage Museum

06/19/2026

A century of memories all started here.

Included in these photos is Childress High School when it opened in 1926. Today, that same building is home to Childress Junior High and is celebrating 100 years of serving our community.

For a century, its halls have been filled with learning, friendships, school spirit, and memories that have shaped Childress. Thousands of students have walked through its doors, each becoming part of its story.

As your museum, we love preserving the history of Childress and sharing the stories that connect us. These pages from the 1926 yearbook offer a glimpse back to when this beloved school was brand new.

Do you have a favorite memory from this historic building? We’d love to hear it!

06/13/2026

🇺🇸 America 250: The Texas Story 🇨🇱

As America approaches its 250th birthday, take a look back at Texas’ journey from Republic to Statehood.

Stop by the Childress County Heritage Museum and explore how Texas—and Childress—became part of the American story.

📍 210 3rd Street NW
🕘 Wednesday–Saturday | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Free admission.

06/10/2026

This book of paperwork from the Fort Worth and Denver Railway records various carloads of freight checked in at the railway's freight station in Amarillo between February 7 and March 12 of 1962. Train crews kept trains moving in the days before computers, and an army of clerks and agents kept track of shipments and customers.

This book was donated to PPHM by the Fort Worth and Denver Railway in 1977. FW&D was one of the most historically significant railroads in the state, and had an enormous impact on the growth of the Texas Panhandle and the expansion of the cattle industry. Towns like Childress, Memphis, Clarendon, Claude, Amarillo, and Dalhart all owe their survival (if not their existence) to the FW&D.

In 1982, FW&D was merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad, and the original FW&D tracks are now owned and operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

05/14/2026

We loved having the 3rd grade class visit the Childress County Heritage Museum today! They were such a great group and asked some of the BEST questions. Seeing kids get excited about history and curious about the past is one of the best parts of what we do. Thanks for spending part of your day with us y’all were awesome! 😊

05/11/2026

Board Member Spotlight ✨

Meet Niki Seal of Childress, Texas

As the Director of the Childress County Heritage Museum, Niki is deeply passionate about preserving local history and protecting the stories found in historic buildings across the Plains. Her work focuses on creating interactive, educational experiences that make history engaging and accessible for all ages, helping visitors connect with the past in meaningful ways.

Her favorite place to explore is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, where the landscape itself tells a powerful story. When traveling the Texas Plains Trail, she enjoys stopping at small-town museums—each one offering a unique glimpse into the communities that shape the region. And when it’s time to eat, you’ll most likely find her at a local diner, appreciating the simple, authentic flavors of the Plains.

Niki is also a proud mother of two, a role that reflects her deep commitment to preserving history and strengthening her community so that its stories continue to be shared for generations to come.

04/28/2026

In March, Humanities Texas, the Smithsonian Rural Initiative, and Texas Rural Funders hosted "Preserving Rural Stories: Resources and Grants for Historical and Cultural Organizations in the Texas Panhandle" in Amarillo.

The conference—presented in partnership with the Amarillo Area Foundation, the Texas Historical Commission, and the Texas Historical Foundation—brought together organizations from across the Panhandle and West Texas to learn about funding opportunities and resources to support their service to the state's rural communities.

Read more about the program in our April newsletter: https://www.humanitiestexas.org/news/articles/humanities-texas-and-smithsonian-host-panhandle-conference

04/23/2026

Sometimes I post a photo that is so good I just sit in dumbstruck awe of its multifarious glories. This 1907 photo of working cowboy Bob Elroy lighting a cigarette while wearing a sugarloaf hat, taken by Erwin E. Smith on the OX ranch, which was in Childress County and ran about 300,000 acres at its peak. Seriously, folks ... is this the best photo I've posted in the 15 years I've been doing this? It's a true work of art.

Courtesy the astounding Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth.

04/18/2026

04/18/2026

04/17/2026

Faces from the Past — Old Settlers Royalty Edition

For this week’s Faces from the Past, we’re looking back at the Old Settlers Kings and Queens through the years. Today we’re sharing the names of those who have held this special honor since 1973 and celebrating the people who helped make this tradition such an important part of Childress history. If you have any photos of these honorees, or pictures of them from their time as King or Queen, please share them with us. We would love to see them and help preserve those memories