County Seat: Jayton • County Population: 808
Kent County has been home to two temples of justice. The inaugural courthouse was raised in the original county seat of Clairemont in 1893 in an Italianate style as designed by Martin, Byrnes and Johnston. The current county capitol was erected in Jayton in 1957 in a Modern style as created by Wyatt Hedrick.
The county was named in honor of Andrew Kent, who died in the Alamo, while Jayton refers to two local promoters, James B. and R.A. Jay. The county hub was moved from Clairemont to Jayton in 1954 following a two-year court battle. The Clairemont courthouse burned just after the county records were sent over to Jayton; however, the bottom story of the former capitol was preserved and still stands today.
The Old Kent County Jail in Clairemont was honored as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965 with the following verbiage: “Built, 1894, of red sandstone quarried nearby. Horse and cattle thieves, murderers, moonshiners most common prisoners. One of most difficult West Texas jails from which to escape. No attempted break successful.”
Jayton’s other historic notations include:
- Putoff Canyon, named for an early settler known simply as Mr. Putoff. The historical marker reads: “In region of Salt Water, canyon was noted for its freshwater spring strong enough to swim a horse. Area was a resort, 1900-1914, for many artists. Western writer Zane Grey used region as setting for his novel The Thundering Herd. (1969).”
- Double Mountain Salt Works (on Brazos River) is described in its historic sign as follows: “On Indian-infested frontier 125 miles beyond Fort Belknap and outer settlements. Northernmost business in Confederate Texas. Established at great risk, to obtain salt, scarce during Civil War and vitally needed to cure meat, season food, cure hides for leather, feed work horses, army draft mules and cavalry horses. Texas Legislature appropriated funds for the explorations on the Brazos by a civil engineer. Double Mountain spring water proved to be 98% salt, a nearby lake 45%. Reduction of brine was under control of Texas Military Board. Troops guarded the work. (1965).”
- Another point of historical interest is the old Jayton Bank, now the Kent County State Bank, which was founded in 1907 by Robert Goodall, one of Kent County’s first commissioners. Over the years the Jayton Bank served as the location for the town post office, the county courthouse, and an insurance agency. The modern-day bank shared a wall with the old bank, bought the structure in the 1970s, and used it for storage. Eventually the modern bank, in need of space, decided to restore the older structure to its original purpose.
Along with its unique history, Kent County, nestled in the Rolling Plains just below the Caprock, is known as a hunter’s haven, with an abundance of deer, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, dove and wild hogs.
While the economy is primarily supported by farming and ranching, the county also cherishes the Occidental Permian industry, a 60-bed care center and health clinic, a technology-equipped school system, and the excitement of six-man football.