Channing Grew Out of One of the Largest Ranches in American History

The XIT Ranch, formed in 1882, occupied much of western and southern Hartley County. It was one of the largest ranches in North America at the time. When the ranch moved its general headquarters to Channing in 1891, the small railroad town grew around that operation. The town was originally called Rivers, named for a railroad paymaster, then renamed Channing in 1888.

After two elections, Channing became the permanent county seat in 1903. According to the Handbook of Texas, the original frame courthouse was physically moved to Channing on wheels by XIT cowboys. A brick courthouse replaced it in 1906. The XIT Ranch continued as the town's main economic anchor until it was liquidated in 1911. Channing is about 50 miles northwest of Amarillo and still serves as the seat of county government today.