Fireside Chat: Rath City and Hide Towns by Cheryl Lewis

With Special Guest Martha Ferguson

Join us for an evening of storytelling and history as Cheryl Lewis delves into the fascinating past of Rath City and the hide towns of the Texas frontier. Accompanying her is Martha Ferguson, a Hamlin rancher and owner of the Y6 Ranch, the very land where Rath City once stood.

Once a booming buffalo hide town, Rath City played a crucial role in the Great Plains economy before disappearing into history. Though the original town site was plowed under in 1971, its legacy remains—artifacts still surface after rains and shifting winds, and two marked graves, Spotted Jack and Lumpkins, serve as solemn reminders of the past. A stone marker, placed by historian Jack Lofton, stands at what was once the heart of the old business district.

Through historical photos, personal stories, and firsthand accounts, this fireside chat will transport you back to the days when buffalo hunters, traders, and settlers carved out a living on the Texas frontier. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from those who continue to preserve its legacy.

Be sure to explore the artifacts and visit the Y6 Ranch history through archival images—then step back in time with us.