Runningwater, Texas was Founded on this Day in 1892

LUBBOCK, TX — Today marks the anniversary of the founding of Runningwater, a once-thriving community in Hale County north of Lubbock west of I-27, now relegated to the annals of history as a ghost town. On this day in 1892, the town officially opened its doors with a grand barbecue for local residents, marking the beginning of a brief but significant chapter in the history of the Texas Panhandle.

Runningwater was located at the junction of Hwy 194, FM 788 and FM 1424, about 7.5 miles northwest of Plainview.

The town, initially known as Wadsworth, was renamed Runningwater in 1891, a strategic move to emphasize the presence of flowing water in the area. The new name, made official on January 28, 1891, was hoped to attract settlers to the region. Dennis Rice, a railroad land speculator and the town's founder, also became its first postmaster. Rice envisioned Runningwater as a bustling hub of commerce and community, even planning to establish a cheese factory in the town. However, this dream was never realized as the venture faltered when a key promoter relocated.

Despite its promising beginnings, Runningwater faced significant challenges. The mid-1890s brought a severe drought and a devastating grasshopper invasion, both of which hindered further settlement. However, the passage of the Four-Section Act in 1895 brought a new wave of settlers, eager to carve out a life on the open plains.

By 1907, Runningwater had established itself as a modest but vibrant community. Three stores served the local population, and the town boasted congregations of Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches. The Runningwater school, which became its own independent school district (ISD) in 1924, was a source of pride for the town, employing four teachers by the time of its closure.

However, Runningwater's fortunes took a downturn in 1928 when the Fort Worth and Denver Railway bypassed the town by a mere three miles. This decision proved catastrophic for the community, as the economic lifeline provided by the railroad was essential for survival in the remote Texas Panhandle. By 1937, the post office had been moved to Edmonson Switch, a nearby town on the railroad, and Runningwater's remaining residents began to drift away, following the rails to new opportunities.

By the 1980s, Runningwater had faded into obscurity, with its last remaining businesses shuttered and its population dwindling to nothing. Though it appeared on county maps until 1987, by the turn of the millennium, Runningwater was a ghost town in every sense—silent, abandoned, and forgotten.

Today, only a few weathered structures and fading memories remain to mark the place where Runningwater once stood.