By 1907, the Alanreed, Texas boasted a bank, a hotel, two churches, a saloon, two grocery stores, a hardware store, a livery stable and a blacksmith shop. In 1912 a new two-story school was built and by 1917 the town had a population of 250 complete with telephone service. In 1927 with the Panhandle Oil Boom and the coming of Route 66, Alanreed was called home to some 500 residents. Like its neighbor McLean, Alanreed made several unsuccessful bids to be the county seat. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.