Texline can be explored through its local and regional connections: the history of St. Mary's Catholic Church is linked to its founding by German Catholic families from Illinois. They moved to the Texas plains to establish an agricultural colony in Perico. The church's original altar in Perico was restored and installed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Texline. Texline Cemetery lies south of town, and there are picnic tables at Thompson Grove near Texline. Historic road connections and the landscape of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands add a broader regional context to the local perspective.

Church History: Perico and Texline

St. Mary's Catholic Church was founded in 1910 by about 30 German Catholic families from Illinois. The families moved to the Texas plains to establish an agricultural colony in Perico, Texas. Migration and the founding of the colony are therefore part of the church's founding context; Perico is where the families intended to establish the colony. The church's original altar in Perico was restored and installed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Texline. The two episodes show different aspects of this church history: a community that moved from Illinois to the Texas plains, and a restored object that connects Perico and Texline. Those interested in church history will find a thread here that runs from migration to the installation of the altar.

Getting Around Texline

Texline Cemetery lies just south of Texline, on the west side of Highway 296. If you plan to visit the cemetery, check local road conditions before setting out. There are picnic tables at Thompson Grove near Texline. If you plan to stop there, it is a good idea to briefly check the condition of the facilities before your visit.

The Landscape in a Broader Context

The Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands extend into the Texas Panhandle. This landscape includes canyons, plateaus, rolling grasslands, and outcrops; its varied landforms support diverse flora. For travelers who want to explore landscapes in a broader context as well as local history, this range offers a second thematic focus. Canyons and plateaus represent different terrain from rolling grasslands, while the outcrops add to the landscape. For travelers interested in landscapes, this regional connection complements local church history with a distinct theme.

Historic Road Connections

Historic road connections also tell stories of different regional scales. The North Texas Highway generally follows the Red River. The Puget Sound to Gulf Highway is listed as State Highway 9 and runs from Texline to Corpus Christi. The first reference describes the route through a general connection to a river; the second gives a specific route and classification. Together, these details show two forms of regional orientation: a general connection to a river and a route between the explicitly named cities.

Discover more destinations: University Park, Dalhart.

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