Editing Channing, Texas (section)

==History==
[[Image:XIT Ranch office plaque IMG 4934.JPG|thumb|The XIT Ranch office is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].]]
Channing was founded in 1888 by George Channing Rivers, a paymaster for the [[Fort Worth and Denver City Railway]].<ref name="Channing History">{{cite web | url = http://www.channingisd.net/vnews/display.v/ART/47030b9f86beb | title = The History of Channing | publisher = Kade Kistner ([[Channing Independent School District]]) | access-date = 2009-07-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100426102949/http://www.channingisd.net/vnews/display.v/ART/47030b9f86beb | archive-date = 2010-04-26 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The settlement was originally called Rivers. Since the name Rivers duplicated another community in Texas, the name was changed to Channing later that year.<ref name="Texas Handbook">{{cite web | url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hlc20 | title = Channing, Texas | publisher = [[The Handbook of Texas]] online | access-date = 2009-07-20}}</ref> Channing developed directly from its association with the [[XIT Ranch]], a property that once included land in as many as 10 counties in the [[Texas Panhandle]].

In 1891, Willis D. Twitchell platted Channing's business district. At that time, Channing was the headquarters of the XIT.<ref name="Dalhart Chamber">{{cite web|url=http://dalharttx.usachamber.com/custom2.asp?pageid=2389 |title=Out West in the Cowboys' Land |publisher=Dalhart Chamber of Commerce |access-date=2009-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723143550/http://dalharttx.usachamber.com/custom2.asp?pageid=2389 |archive-date=July 23, 2007 }}</ref> Albert Boyce, the ranch's general manager and one of the most prominent early citizens, built the first house in the community. By 1900, Channing had two stores, a post office, lumber yard, and school.<ref name="Channing History" />

Two elections, one in November 1896 and the other in 1903, were required for Channing to replace [[Hartley, Texas|Hartley]] as county seat.<ref name="Texas Handbook" /><ref name="Texas Escapes" /> The frame courthouse was pulled to Channing on wheels by mounted XIT cowboys in 1903. A brick courthouse was completed in 1906 and the original courthouse was converted into the once-famous Hotel Rivers.<ref name="Dalhart Chamber" /> One of the first public libraries in the Panhandle was established in 1908 by a local women's club. The estimated population at this time was about 600.

The XIT, which conducted most of its business from Channing, was the town's chief customer until liquidation of the ranch in 1911. The local economy was severely impacted, although the real-estate market temporarily thrived from the sale of XIT lands.<ref name="Texas Escapes"/> A fire swept through the business district on September 6, 1931, destroying seven buildings, including Hotel Rivers. By 1940, Channing had an estimated population of 475 with several businesses, a high school, and three churches. A restored XIT office building is located in Channing as a museum.

Channing was incorporated in 1960. At the time of incorporation, the population was 390.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> The number of inhabitants declined to 336 in 1970, 304 in 1980, and 277 in 1990, mainly because of its accessibility to the larger communities of [[Dalhart, Texas|Dalhart]] and [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]]. By 2000, the population rose to 356, a 28.5% increase over the 1990 figure.