O'Donnell

O'Donnell, Texas

O'Donnell, Texas

O'Donnell is a small city in west Texas that lies in both Lynn and Dawson counties. Photograph by Billy Hathorn.
Product photo
Promotion: Nearby

Map of Lynn County

Product photo
Promotion: Nearby

Map of Dawson County

O'Donnell is on U.S. Highway 87 at the Lynn-Dawson county line. It lies mostly in southern Lynn County. It was established in 1910 by a group of promoters involved with the construction of the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway from Slaton to Lamesa. The brothers T. J. and A. F. O'Donnell allied themselves with Charles Doak, former sheriff of Lynn County, and H. E. Baldridge to form a town on the new railroad; it was to be called O'Donnell City. In June 1910, lots were sold and a town began; by 1912 the town had a post office, a gin, a hotel, a real-estate office, and a general store. At first the local economy was dominated by cotton farming and ginning. A bank opened at the town in 1919, when the population was 300, and a movement began for incorporation, which occurred on May 5, 1923. By 1930 the town had 1,026 residents; it grew to 1,187 by 1940 and to 1,238 by 1980. The Pecos and Northern Texas Railway later merged with the Panhandle and Santa Fe system, and by 1999 all remnants of the railroad in O'Donnell were abandoned and removed.

O'Donnell was the home of Dan Blocker, who portrayed "Hoss" Cartwright on the popular television series "Bonanza" during the late 1950s and the 1960s. His association with the town is prominently featured at the O'Donnell Heritage Museum, which was organized in 1976. In 1990 the population of O'Donnell was 1,102. By 2016 the population was estimated at 810. In 2016 the city had one high school and one elementary school, as well as a community center, a public park, and a masonic lodge.

Continue Reading

Donald R. Abbe | © TSHA

Handbook of Texas Logo

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

O'Donnell is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

O'Donnell is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • [-City]

Location

Latitude: 32.96520150
Longitude: -101.83084000

Has Post Office

Yes

Is Incorporated

Yes

Population Count, 2021 View more »

726