Ralls sits just ten miles west of Crosbyton on U.S. 82, but don't let the proximity fool you. This isn't a satellite town; it is a fierce competitor with its own distinct soul. Born from a land dispute and built by cotton, Ralls is the "Banner City" of the South Plains—a place where the Jackrabbits run fast and the history runs deep.

At a Glance: The Cotton Capital

Before we walk down Main Street, here are the foundations of Ralls.

  • Established: July 1911 (Townsite platted).
  • Founder: John Robinson Ralls, the man who literally moved a town to build his own.
  • Elevation: ~3,100 feet.
  • Industry: The agricultural engine of Crosby County (Cotton, Grains, and Soybeans).
  • Mascot: The Ralls Jackrabbits (One of the most spirited mascots in West Texas).

1. A Town Born of Defiance (1906–1911)

Most towns in West Texas were built by railroads or syndicates. Ralls was built by one man’s determination.

In the early 1900s, the C.B. Livestock Company (the founders of Crosbyton) controlled vast stretches of the county. They intended Crosbyton to be the only major hub. John Robinson Ralls, a Georgia native who had moved to the area, owned 10,000 acres of prime ranchland. When the new railroad line was plotted to bypass the county seat of Emma and head straight to Crosbyton, it had to cross John Ralls’ land.

Ralls saw an opportunity. Instead of just letting the tracks cross his dirt, he decided to build a station. When disputes arose with the livestock company, Ralls didn't back down. He platted his own townsite in July 1911. He didn't just sell lots; he offered to move businesses from the dying town of Emma to Ralls at his own expense.

It worked. A literal caravan of buildings—homes, a bank, and stores—was hauled across the prairie on skids and wagons. Ralls wasn't just built; it was transplanted.

2. The Boom and The Brick (1915–1929)

The gamble paid off. By 1916, Ralls had secured a station on the Santa Fe Railroad, cementing its status as a shipping hub.

While Crosbyton was the political center (holding the county seat), Ralls became the commercial engine. The Ralls Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1917 with John’s brother, Percy Ralls, as its first president. The siblings worked tirelessly to modernize the flats.

Farmers poured in, drawn by the fertile soil that John Ralls sold in 160-acre quarter-sections. The town square filled with red brick buildings, including the John R. Ralls Bank Building, which still stands today. By the mid-1920s, the town boasted six cotton gins and two compress yards, running 24 hours a day during harvest to process the "white gold" pouring in from the fields.

3. The Fury of 1935 (The Great Storm)

The 1930s brought the Dust Bowl, but for Ralls, the defining scar wasn't just dust—it was ice.

On June 19, 1935, the worst hail and wind storm in Crosby County history struck the town. Survivors recalled the sky turning a bruised purple before winds ravaged the business district. The storm tore the roof off the massive cotton compress and destroyed homes. Two residents lost their lives that day.

But the response defined the town's character. Neighbors dug neighbors out of the rubble. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) eventually arrived to help rebuild, paving Main Street with brick and constructing the rock gymnasium that became a community centerpiece. The storm broke buildings, but it calcified the community's resolve.

4. The Fighting Jackrabbits

You cannot tell the history of Ralls without mentioning its heart: Ralls ISD.

Organized in 1915, the school district consolidated the scattered rural schoolhouses of the county. The mascot—the Jackrabbit—was chosen to represent speed, agility, and the ability to survive in the open country. Friday nights at the stadium are a ritual that dates back decades, uniting the families of cotton farmers, merchants, and oil workers under the stadium lights.

Preserving the Legacy

Ralls today is a quiet powerhouse. The grain silos on the west side of town dominate the skyline, a testament to the agriculture that still pays the bills.

Historical Sites to Visit:

  1. Ralls Historical Museum: Housed in the original bank building, this museum features period rooms and artifacts from the early settlers.
  2. The Ghost Signs: Take a walk down Main Street to spot fading advertisements (like the Borden’s Ice Cream sign) painted directly onto the brick decades ago.
  3. The Depot: The restored Santa Fe depot serves as a reminder of the rail line that John Ralls fought so hard to secure.

Continue the Journey

The story of Crosby County is a tale of two towns. Now that you know Ralls, head east to see the "rival" that started it all.