Kaffir

Kaffir is a rural community and loading station on the Santa Fe Railroad between Tulia and Happy in north central Swisher County. Kaffir is dominated by the huge grain elevator and loading bin beside the tracks near U.S. Highway 87 (Interstate 27) and apparently was named for the strain of grain sorghum (usually spelled kafir) produced in the area. In 1906 a school district was organized. The rural school house was moved frequently until the 1920s, when a permanent building was constructed just north of the elevator. This structure was also used as a community church and public meeting place. A store and filling station were also built beside the highway. In the 1940s the Kaffir school district was partitioned between the districts of Happy and Tulia. Although the local Home Demonstration Club continued to use the school building for a few more years, it was eventually abandoned and razed. Besides the elevator, only the old coal house remained on the site in 1984.