Baird

Baird was etablished in 1880 with the building of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. A roundhouse, repair shops, and switches marked the railroad division point named for Matthew Baird, the railroad director who drove the first stake on the T&P RR in 1875. Today the seat of Callahan County is the commercial center for farming and livestock area.

Many antique and specialty shops are restored in turn-of-the-century buildings downtown. Baird is officially recognized as the Antique Capital of West Texas by the Texas Legislature in 1993.

The Old Rock Jail at 100 W. 5th St. was moved from the former county seat, Belle Plain. Each block was numbered and the jail was rebuilt exactly as it had been. It is used as a Boy Scout meeting place today.

More than 80 area military personnel that perished during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam are remembered on the “Wall of Honor” in the Callahan County Courhouse. Visitors can see photos and learn about each county resident that fought and died for his country during normal business hours when the courthouse is open.

Be sure to stop by Grumpe’s candy factory, one of only four candy factories producing lollipops for business advertising in the U.S., and one of only two that puts messages on both the stick and candy.

In season, hunters take wild turkey, deer, quail, dove, and wild hog. Golfers find a challenging and scenic 18-hole golf course inviting year round.