Charles Goodnight Historical Center

The Charles and Mary Ann Dyer Goodnight House at Goodnight, Texas is one of the most  important historic structures in the Texas Panhandle and State of Texas.  First  and foremost, it was constructed for and occupied by the Goodnights from about  1887 until 1926. At the time of its construction, the house was regarded as the  finest house in the Panhandle. It also probably was the first architect-designed  house in the region, although the architect has not been identified.  Finally,  the house is in very good condition in spite of its age and has experienced few  and only minor changes since it was built.  Charles Goodnight established the first permanent cattle raising  operation in the Texas Panhandle, the JA Ranch, in 1876 and today it is the  oldest ranch and the oldest enterprise in the Panhandle. So, Charles Goodnight  can rightfully be called the “Father of the cattle industry in the Texas  Panhandle.” With her husband’s assistance, Mary Ann Goodnight saved a remnant of  the southern herd of bison. Today, the State of Texas owns the descendants of  these animals and cares for them at Caprock Canyon State Park.