Littlefield: History and Culture

Littlefield offers travelers several ways to explore local history: the windmill history of the XIT Ranch, the Littlefield Lands/Duggan House Museum, and the Quanah Parker Trail. These topics highlight different aspects of local and regional history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Littlefield, they can help you plan your trip around your interests: ranch history, the history of Littlefield and Lamb County, the Trail, or an event.

XIT Ranch: Windmill and Replica

The Yellowhouse Division of the 3,050,000-acre XIT Ranch built a 132-foot-tall windmill in 1887. This is distinct from the replica of the XIT Ranch’s giant windmill, which was erected on May 27, 1969. The two dates mark different events: the original construction and the later erection of the replica. The numbers also describe different scales: 132 feet is the windmill’s height, while 3,050,000 acres is the area of the ranch.

History at the Lands/Duggan House Museum

At the Littlefield Lands/Duggan House Museum, visitors can explore the history of Littlefield and Lamb County. The house was once home to the Arthur P. Duggan family, among the region’s earliest settlers. Its former use as a home connects the house to family history, while visitors can explore the history of the town and county at the museum. The “Radio Room” exhibit features memorabilia from KVOW’s and Waylon Jennings’ formative years. The Duggans’ former home grounds the family history in a specific house; the “Radio Room” exhibit offers a different perspective through its memorabilia.

Quanah Parker Trail and Veterans’ Memorial

The Quanah Parker Trail arrow arrived in Littlefield on July 2, 2013, and was installed south of the Lamb County Veterans' Memorial near the Ag and Community Center. Travelers can follow the Trail’s arrows to learn about and see parts of the land inhabited and traversed by Quanah Parker, his family, and his people. The Trail connects the local arrow installation to a broader history. The Lamb County Veterans' Memorial includes the names of more than 4,100 veterans. These two historical references differ significantly: the Trail points to Quanah Parker and his people, while the memorial is dedicated to honoring veterans.

Events and Getting There

A bluegrass jamboree is one of Littlefield’s events that welcomes guests every year. A free Waylon Jennings concert is also a popular event. If you’re planning your trip around an event, check its specific dates before booking. Littlefield Taylor Brown Municipal Airport has two runways on which aircraft can land. If you plan to include the airport in your flight itinerary, check the latest operating information.

For the broader travel overview: Lamb.