Transportation
2
Hamblen Drive was named for William H. Hamblen (1878 - 1952), who in the 1890s pioneered a crude road about 6 miles north into Palo Duro Canyon along old Indian trails. This route cut 120 miles off settlers' trips to the courthouse in Claude, but it was steep and dangerous. Hamblen and his wife Ada (1883 - 1955) ranched near Wayside after 1905, and he worked unceasingly to secure a passable road through Palo Duro Canyon. After his election as county commissioner in 1928, a graded road was finally built, and in 1930 the commissioners' court dedicated it as Hamblen Drive. When it was paved in 1954, a dream of a lifetime was realized.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Texas · United States
