Archer City, Texas
Located 21 miles west of Henrietta, Archer City is a small town brimming with the classic charm of a bygone era. Named after Branch Tanner Archer, a prominent figure in the Republic of Texas, the town was founded in 1858 and has a population of around 1,800 residents according to recent data (source: U.S. Census Bureau).
Stepping into Archer City is like stepping back in time. The central district, built around the historic courthouse square, consists of two main streets, Pecan Street and Center Avenue, each lined with well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These streets are home to locally owned businesses, including bakeries, antique shops, and small restaurants that serve up Texas-style home cooking.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Archer City is its deep-rooted literary tradition. This small Texas town was the childhood home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry, best known for his novels “Lonesome Dove” and “The Last Picture Show,” the latter of which is set in a thinly veiled version of Archer City itself (source: Texas State Historical Association).
McMurtry’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the town. His vast collection of used and rare books were housed in a number of bookstores around the town square, turning Archer City into a haven for book lovers from around the world. Though the majority of his collection was sold off in 2012, the remaining books are housed in the flagship store, Booked Up Inc, which continues to draw visitors (source: [The New Yorker]
If you’re planning a visit to Archer City and later want to head to Skelton’s Shop in Henrietta, here’s a simple route. Starting from the Archer City Courthouse, head east on W Main Street toward N Center Avenue. Then, take a left onto S Ash Street. Continue onto FM 210 and drive for about 15 miles. Take a right onto TX-148 N and drive for about 8 miles. You will reach Henrietta. Take a right onto E Omega Street and then another right onto N Bridge Street. Drive for about 0.2 miles and take a left onto E Wichita Street. You will find Skelton’s Shop at 213 East Wichita Street.