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Callahan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 12,905. It is included in the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is Baird[1]. Callahan is named for James Hughes Callahan, a soldier during the Texas Revolution. |
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 Texas Civil War Frontier Defense 1861-1865 Texas made an all out effort for the Confederacy after voting over 3 to 1 for secession. 90,000 troops, noted for mobility and heroic daring, fought on every battlefront. An important source of supply and gateway to foreign trade thru Mexico. Texas was the storehouse of the south – Camp Pegan and other posts on the line were backed by patrols of State Rangers. Organized militia and citizens posses scouting from nearby “family forts.” This war was part of a 2000 mile frontier and coastline successfully defended by Texans. |
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 Camp Pecan C. S. A. This Civil War camp of the Texas frontier regiment was located 21 miles southeast. Established in 1862 as one of a line of post. A days horseback ride apart. The number of men guarding the frontier were few. Trouble came from all directions with Indian. Threats and raids from the west and plundering renegades and deserters from the east. Food, supplies, clothing and horses were constantly scarce, but in sprit of all obstacles, these confederates managed to effectively hold the front line of settlement. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the state of Texas, 1963. |
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 Callahan County Courthouse Te county seat moved from Belle Plain to Bird in 1883, and a courthouse, designed by noted architect F.E. Ruffini, was built at this site. The county hired another noted architect, J. Riely Gordon, in 1900 for a larger courthouse; J.E. Flanders was the supervising architect. In 1928, the growing county hired Voelcker & Dixon Architects & Engineers of Wichita Falls, who designed this Classical Revival courthouse, completed the next year. Suggs and Dunlap Contractors constructed the building, which features intricate detailing, including acanthus leaves, rosettes, medallions and cartouches. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2003 |
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 Callahan County Formed from Bexar Territory Created February 1, 1858 Recreated August 21, 1876 Organized July 3, 1877 Named in honor of James H. Callahan, 1812-1856 soldier in the Texas Revolution. Captain of the Texas Rangers. County seat, Callahan City, 1877. Belle Plain, 1877-1883; Baird, since. Two early military roads, the Chisholm Trail, and the first government telegraph lines traversed this region. |
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