RAYNER

NAME: Rayner COUNTY: Stonewall ROADS: 2WD GRID: 3 CLIMATE: Warm winter, hot summer BEST TIME TO VISIT:Winter, spring, fall

COMMENTS: The old Stone Courthouse is a must see. REMAINS: The courthouse and cemetery.

Speculating in land was nothing new in the 1800s as was evidenced by W.E. Rayner's attempt to create a town to be the county seat before the county was officially organized. In 1889, Rayner bought a section of land, had it platted to include sixty-three city blocks with streets running north and south and east and west. Stonewall County also came into being that same year and Rayner became the seat of county government. A three story stone courthouse was constructed to house county offices as well as courtrooms. In less than a decade, the county seat was moved to a newer community named Aspermont nearer to the center of the county. Businesses and residents of Rayner began to move to the newer town and Rayner lost its post office in 1906. Today, the old courthouse still stands but is privately owned and serves as the home of a local rancher. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

Rayner Courtesy Dan Gulino

BACK