HISTORY

National Register of Historic Places — Montague County

Montague County holds three National Register of Historic Places listings — fewer than the county’s historical depth might suggest, but representing three distinct chapters: Native American and French colonial heritage at Spanish Fort (1975), the railroad era that built Bowie (1975), and the civic architecture of the county seat (2017).

For Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designations — of which the county has 50+ — see the Montague County Cemeteries hub and individual cemetery dossiers. For Texas Historical Commission markers, see Historic Markers of Montague County.

3 listed properties
1975–2017 year range listed

NRHP designation inventory

pre-anglo Archaeology

Spanish Fort Site

Spanish Fort Listed 1975

Address Restricted (S.W. Ayers Farm, 41MU12), Spanish Fort, TX

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One of the most significant archaeological sites in North Texas. The site preserves remains of a fortified Taovaya (Wichita) town occupied during the 1750s — a major trading center aligned with French interests, defended by wooden stockades and a moat, and repulsed a Spanish military assault under Col. Diego Ortiz Parrilla in 1759. The property is privately owned and in agricultural use; address is restricted due to archaeological sensitivity.

Period of Significance
1750–1799
Criteria
D
Style
Pre-contact / Historic Native American and French settlement
Access
Address restricted. Researcher inquiries should be directed to the Texas Historical Commission Archeological Stewardship Program.
NPS Reference #75002000
cattle-cotton-oil Transportation / Architecture

Fort Worth and Denver City Depot

Bowie Listed 1975

Jct. US 81 & FM 3034, Bowie, TX

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A utilitarian railroad depot constructed in the early 1900s to serve the Fort Worth and Denver Railway, which reached Bowie in 1882 and catalyzed the town's founding. Significant for its association with rail transportation infrastructure and as a surviving example of early-20th-century railroad vernacular architecture. Currently operated as a museum under local management.

Period of Significance
1900–1924
Criteria
A, C
Architect
Unknown; utilitarian rail station
Style
Utilitarian railroad vernacular
Access
Publicly accessible. Museum interpretation in progress.
NPS Reference #72001545
modern Architecture / Government

Montague County Courthouse and Old Jail

Montague Listed 2017

101 East Franklin Street, Montague, TX 76251

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The county's defining civic landmark, designed by Waco architect George Burnett and completed in May 1913 at a cost of $100,000 following destruction of its predecessor in a 1912 storm. The three-story Classical Revival building features a raised basement, column porticos on north and south facades, pilasters, and dentil cornices. Period of significance 1913–1967. The complex includes the 1927 Old Jail constructed by the Southern Prison Company of San Antonio (Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1991), which served as the county jail until 1980.

Period of Significance
1913–1967
Criteria
A, C
Architect
George Burnett (Waco, TX)
Style
Classical Revival
Access
Publicly accessible. County government functions remain active in the building.