Bartonsite   With railroad talk in the early 1900's, Mr. Barton, Mr. Norfleet, and other ranchers from Hereford to Stanton were told the Panhandle-Short Line Railroad was planning a route from north to south that would pass through these ranches. Grading was started, but the Santa Fe Railroad put in a route from Canyon to Lubbock first. Two railroads so close together would not be needed, so the Panhandle-Short Line route was abandoned.   A town was platted on one of the two home sections of the Barton ranch in 1907. The town of Bartonsite was located six miles north and eight miles west of the present town of Abernathy.   The prospect of a railroad created much interest in the town and it was not long until Bartonsite gave promise of a thriving town. A number of business houses were built, among which were a lumber yard managed by Al Horton, The Bartonsite Hotel managed by J.K. Nance, Reed's Grocery Store, a Blacksmith Shop, and the Post Office. Mail was brought daily by horse and buggy from Hale Center. The town had a schoolhouse and a church where all denominations worshipped together. Bartonsite became a popular community center and by the end of two years the population of the town had reached 250 people.   The change of plans of the railroad was a death blow to Bartonsite. When Abernathy sprang up in 1909, most of the buildings at Bartonsite were moved to Abernathy. The Post Office of Bartonsite was continued for a number of years, until 1921. It was never discontinued but became inactive when the patrons of that office were served by a Star Route out of Hale Center. The church at Bartonsite was moved to Cotton Center.   Click here to read the offer sent to J.J. Barton to move buildings to Abernathy