Ranching History

Thomas Lawson Odom was the first of eight generations to call Fort Chadbourne home. In 1877, he and his wife Lucinda purchased land from Mary Maverick, widow of Samuel Maverick, that included historic Fort Chadbourne for $500.00 in gold.

Odom served on the Texas Legislature in 1882 during the time of the fence cutting wars. He was pivotal in passing the law, making it a felony to cut another man’s fence in Texas. The Odom’s resided in what is now referred to as the Double Officer’s Quarters. The building burned in 1919.

In 2007, the quarters was restored, and is now part of the Fort Chadbourne tour. It is presented as the first Ranch Headquarters of what would become the Chadbourne
Ranch. The rooms are furnished with Odom family heirlooms.

Although the names have changed through the years from Odom, Wylie, to
Richards, because of two generations of women, to this date eight generations
have resided on the Chadbourne Ranch.

Thomas Lawson Odom and his wife Lucinda purchased the land which included Fort Chadbourne in 1877.

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A Family Heritage Preserved
by Ann Pate
Article from the Texas Heritage Publication
A Publication of the Texas Historical Foundation, Volume 4 2017
Click on the photo below to read the article