Organized in 1879, Old Mobeetie is the oldest town in the Texas Panhandle. During the late 1800's, Mobeetie, the first county seat of Wheeler County and 26 other unorganized counties in Texas, was formed in the heart if the Native American's prized buffalo hunting grounds. "The Mother City of the Panhandle" began as a small buffalo hunters village known as Hidetown and later as Sweetwater City to the ranchers who began to arrive in 1876.
Ft. Elliott, one of the last U.S. Government forts, was established in 1875 in an effort to contain the Native American's to the reservations in Oklahoma. The fort was named in honor of Joel H. Elliott who was killed at the Battle of the Washita near Cheyenne, Oklahoma. The original cedar flagpole now stands proudly in front of the Old Mobeetie Jail Museum. Irish rock mansons cut the stone and built the jail from locally quarried limestone in 1886. The gallows are on display in the museum.
Our Mission Statement
The primary purpose of the Old Mobeetie Jail Museum is public education and the preservation of area artifacts. To further this end, the Old Mobeetie Jail Museum's mission is to collect, document, preserve, and accurately interpret materials related to all aspects of the cultural history of man in the geographical area included in the Panhandle of Texas and related areas in the Southwest. Any commitment or expenditure of funds or time must contribute significantly to this purpose.
Opening Hours
Monday: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Saturday: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
*If the Visitor's Center is Closed please call the following for a tour:
Campground Information
Campers enjoy the peaceful grounds of the Old Mobeetie Jail throughout the year. This site features electrical hookups as well as a restroom. There are 135 RV hookups.
$20 a day RV camping
$300/30 mp a month
#325/50 mp a month
Old Mobeetie Cemetary
Suspended in time at the Old Mobeetie Cementary are the memories of men and women who forged the frontier. Tombstones include those of Mollie Brennan, Temple Houstan's infant daughter; Louise, Cap Arrington and convicted horse thieves Joe Allen and Jesse West who met their demise at the end of a swinging rope in Ada, Oklahoma.
