Jericho

Jericho is more than just an old ghost town; it's a place rich with history, shaped by the lives of those who once called it home. Long before the town’s founding, the land was inhabited by the Kiowa and Comanche tribes, and it bore witness to battles during the Red River Wars of 1874. As the turn of the 20th century approached, the land was sold to Mr. Altizer, who played a pivotal role in Jericho’s development. As the town’s first postmaster, he was responsible for bringing the Rock Island Railroad through Jericho, setting the foundation for what would later become a vibrant community. In 1926, with the birth of Route 66, Jericho became a key stop along the iconic highway. 

The infamous "Jericho Gap," a treacherous, muddy stretch when wet, became legendary among travelers. But as the Great Depression and Dust Bowl swept through, Route 66 was moved half a mile north of town, and slowly, Jericho began to fade.

In 2020, Blair and I discovered this beautiful land, sold simply as farmland, but it held far more. As we dug deeper into Jericho’s history, we uncovered stories of resilience and community, of the families who lived, worked, and loved here. 

In 2023, we were thrilled to launch a successful campaign to obtain a Texas Historical Marker for the Jericho Gap, a proud moment for us in the summer of 2024. Through the wisdom and stories of local elders like Mr. Lamb and Mr. Trew, we’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge about Jericho’s past, including the discovery of its own baseball team, a local lumberyard, and even a birthing house. Jericho is where our journey will end, but until then, we will continue to unearth its treasures and share this remarkable piece of Texas history with the world.