Palo Pinto County, Texas

County in Texas, United States

County in Texas

Palo Pinto County

County

The Palo Pinto County Courthouse in Palo Pinto: The limestone structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Flag

Location within the U.S. state of Texas

Texas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 32°45′11″N 98°18′47″W﻿ / ﻿32.75318°N 98.31302°W﻿ / 32.75318; -98.31302
Country|  United States
State|  Texas
Founded| 1857
Named after| Palo Pinto Creek
Seat| Palo Pinto
Largest city| Mineral Wells
Area

• Total

| 986 sq mi (2,550 km2)
• Land| 952 sq mi (2,470 km2)
• Water| 34 sq mi (90 km2)  3.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 28,409
• Density| 29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 25th
Website| www.co.palo-pinto.tx.us

Palo Pinto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 28,409.[1] The county seat is Palo Pinto.[2] The county was created in 1856 and organized the following year.[3]

Palo Pinto County comprises the Mineral Wells micropolitan statistical area, which is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth combined statistical area. It is located in the western Cross Timbers ecoregion.

## History

[edit]

The abandoned Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells

### Native Americans

[edit]

The Brazos Indian Reservation, founded by General Randolph B. Marcy in 1854, provided a safety area from warring Comanche for Delaware, Shawnee, Tonkawa, Wichita, Choctaw, and Caddo. Within the reservation, each tribe had its own village and cultivated agricultural crops. Government-contracted beef cattle were delivered each week. Citizens were unable to distinguish between reservation and nonreservation tribes, blaming Comanche and Kiowa depredations on the reservation Indians. A newspaper in Jacksboro, Texas, titled The White Man  advocated removal of all tribes from North Texas.[4][5]

During December 1858, Choctaw Tom, who was a Yowani married to a Hasinai woman, who was at times an interpreter to Sam Houston, and a group of reservation Indians received permission for an off-the-reservation hunt. On December 27, Captain Peter Garland and a vigilante group charged Choctaw Tom's camp, indiscriminately murdering and injuring women and children along with the men.[6]

Governor Hardin Richard Runnels[7] ordered John Henry Brown[8] to the area with 100 troops. An examining trial was conducted about the Choctaw Tom raid, but no indictments resulted.

In May 1859, John Baylor[9] and a number of whites confronted United States troops at the reservation, demanding the surrender of certain tribal individuals. The military balked, and Baylor retreated, but in so doing killed an Indian woman and an old man. Baylor's group was later attacked by Indians off the reservation, where the military had no authority to intervene. At the behest of terrified settlers, the reservation was abandoned that year.

### County established

[edit]

In 1856, the Texas State Legislature established Palo Pinto County from Bosque and Navarro Counties and named it for Palo Pinto Creek. The county was organized the next year, with the town of Golconda chosen to be the seat of government. The town was renamed Palo Pinto in 1858.

### Early ranching and farming years

[edit]

Ranching entrepreneurs Oliver Loving[10] and Charles Goodnight,[11] who blazed the Goodnight-Loving Trail, along with Reuben Vaughan, were the nucleus of the original settlers. An 1876 area rancher meeting regarding cattle rustling became the beginnings of what is now known as the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The Fence Cutting Wars in Texas lasted about 5 years, 1883–1888. As farmers and ranchers began to compete for precious land and water, cattlemen found feeding their herds more difficult, prompting cowboys to cut through fences. Texas Governor John Ireland prodded a special assembly to order the fence cutters to cease. In response, the legislature made fence-cutting and pasture-burning crimes punishable with prison time, while at the same time regulating fencing. The practice abated with sporadic incidents of related violence in 1888.[12]

### Later growth years

[edit]

James and Amanda Lynch[13] first moved to the area in 1877. In digging a well on their property, they discovered the water seemed to benefit their well-being. Word spread about the water's healing powers, and people from all over came to experience the benefits. Eventually, the town of Mineral Wells[14] was platted.

Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway,[15] a short distance to east of the town of Mineral Wells in Palo Pinto County, was opened to the public in 1981; it lies in Parker County.

The Texas National Guard organized the 56th Cavalry Brigade in 1921, and four years later, Brigadier General Jacob F. Wolters[16] was given a grant to construct a training camp for the unit. In 1941, Camp Wolters was turned over to the United States Army. It was redesignated Wolters Air Force Base in 1951. Five years later, the base reverted to the Army as a helicopter training school. The base closed in 1973 when the helicopter school transferred to Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel) in Alabama.[17]

Possum Kingdom Lake was acquired from the Brazos River Authority in 1940. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the facilities, and the Possum Kingdom State Park opened to the public in 1950.[18]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 986 sq mi (2,550 km2), of which 34 sq mi (88 km2) (3.4%) are covered by water.[19]

### Features

[edit]

* Palo Pinto Mountains
* Brazos River
* Possum Kingdom Lake

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 20
* U.S. Highway 180
* U.S. Highway 281
* State Highway 16
* State Highway 108

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Jack County (north)
* Parker County (east)
* Hood County (southeast)
* Erath County (south)
* Eastland County (southwest)
* Stephens County (west)
* Young County (northwest)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 1,524| | —
1880| 5,885| | —
1890| 8,320| | 41.4%
1900| 12,291| | 47.7%
1910| 19,506| | 58.7%
1920| 23,431| | 20.1%
1930| 17,576| | −25.0%
1940| 18,456| | 5.0%
1950| 17,154| | −7.1%
1960| 20,516| | 19.6%
1970| 28,962| | 41.2%
1980| 24,062| | −16.9%
1990| 25,055| | 4.1%
2000| 27,026| | 7.9%
2010| 28,111| | 4.0%
2020| 28,409| | 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1850–2010[21] 2010[22] 2020[23]
Palo Pinto County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[24] | Pop 2010[22] | Pop 2020[23] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 22,163  | 21,958  | 20,778  | 82.01%  | 78.11%  | 73.14%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 617  | 597  | 552  | 2.28%  | 2.12%  | 1.94%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 140  | 135  | 149  | 0.52%  | 0.48%  | 0.52%
Asian alone (NH)  | 137  | 132  | 211  | 0.51%  | 0.47%  | 0.74%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 4  | 11  | 12  | 0.01%  | 0.04%  | 0.04%
Other race alone (NH)  | 17  | 13  | 69  | 0.06%  | 0.05%  | 0.24%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 281  | 280  | 1,024  | 1.04%  | 1.00%  | 3.60%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 3,667  | 4,985  | 5,614  | 13.57%  | 17.73%  | 19.76%
Total | 27,026 | 28,111 | 28,409 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the census[25] of 2000, 27,026 people, 10,594 households, and 7,447 families were residing in the county. The population density was 28 people/sq mi (11 people/km2). The 14,102 housing units averaged 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.19% White, 2.32% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 6.59% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. About 13.57% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 10,594 households, 30.40% had children under 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were not families. About 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52, and the average family size was 3.02. As of the 2010 census, 2.0 same-sex couples per 1,000 households were in the county.[26]

In the county, the age distribution was 26.0% under 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household was $31,203, and for a family was $36,977. Males had a median income of $28,526 versus $18,834 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,454. About 12.30% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.50% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Gordon
* Graford
* Mineral Wells (partly in Parker County)
* Mingus
* Strawn

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Brazos
* Oran
* Palo Pinto (county seat)

### Other unincorporated community

[edit]

* Santo

## Notable people

[edit]

* Steve Tyrell, singer and recording artist
* Glenn Rogers, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 60 (2021–present)

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Palo Pinto County, Texas[27] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 11,093  | 83.18% | 2,143  | 16.07%  | 100  | 0.75%
2020 | 10,179  | 81.50% | 2,178  | 17.44%  | 132  | 1.06%
2016 | 8,284  | 80.66% | 1,708  | 16.63%  | 278  | 2.71%
2012 | 7,393  | 79.06% | 1,811  | 19.37%  | 147  | 1.57%
2008 | 7,264  | 73.45% | 2,499  | 25.27%  | 127  | 1.28%
2004 | 7,137  | 71.27% | 2,816  | 28.12%  | 61  | 0.61%
2000 | 5,690  | 62.40% | 3,263  | 35.79%  | 165  | 1.81%
1996 | 3,666  | 42.36%  | 3,938  | 45.50% | 1,051  | 12.14%
1992 | 2,852  | 30.75%  | 3,392  | 36.57% | 3,031  | 32.68%
1988 | 4,649  | 53.85% | 3,930  | 45.52%  | 55  | 0.64%
1984 | 5,701  | 62.81% | 3,349  | 36.90%  | 27  | 0.30%
1980 | 4,068  | 47.95%  | 4,244  | 50.02% | 172  | 2.03%
1976 | 2,684  | 33.95%  | 5,170  | 65.40% | 51  | 0.65%
1972 | 5,058  | 69.79% | 2,181  | 30.10%  | 8  | 0.11%
1968 | 2,627  | 35.33%  | 3,552  | 47.77% | 1,257  | 16.90%
1964 | 1,748  | 31.55%  | 3,791  | 68.42% | 2  | 0.04%
1960 | 2,695  | 46.93%  | 3,022  | 52.63% | 25  | 0.44%
1956 | 2,818  | 54.20% | 2,369  | 45.57%  | 12  | 0.23%
1952 | 3,029  | 51.19% | 2,876  | 48.61%  | 12  | 0.20%
1948 | 977  | 19.37%  | 3,736  | 74.05% | 332  | 6.58%
1944 | 416  | 10.08%  | 3,291  | 79.76% | 419  | 10.16%
1940 | 510  | 16.50%  | 2,571  | 83.20% | 9  | 0.29%
1936 | 371  | 11.88%  | 2,738  | 87.67% | 14  | 0.45%
1932 | 392  | 12.53%  | 2,722  | 87.02% | 14  | 0.45%
1928 | 2,001  | 63.28% | 1,161  | 36.72%  | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 473  | 17.98%  | 1,926  | 73.20% | 232  | 8.82%
1920 | 342  | 15.75%  | 1,645  | 75.74% | 185  | 8.52%
1916 | 124  | 6.71%  | 1,431  | 77.44% | 293  | 15.85%
1912 | 68  | 3.83%  | 1,231  | 69.27% | 478  | 26.90%
United States Senate election results for Palo Pinto County, Texas1[28] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 10,611  | 80.13% | 2,355  | 17.78%  | 277  | 2.09%

## See also

[edit]

* Texas portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Palo Pinto County, Texas
* Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Palo Pinto County

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Palo Pinto County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
4. ^ Crouch, Carrie J: Brazos Indian Reservation from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 5, 2010. Texas State Historical Association.
5. ^ Minor, David: White Man from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 5, 2010. Texas State Historical Association.
6. ^ "Choctaw Tom". Fort Tours. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
7. ^ "Texas Governor Harden Richard Runnels". State of Texas. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas State Library and Archives Commission
8. ^ Baker, Erma: John Henry Brown from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas State Historical Association.
9. ^ Thompson, Jerry: John Robert Baylor from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas State Historical Association.
10. ^ "Oliver Loving". PBS.org. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Oliver Loving Descendants
11. ^ "Charles Goodnight". PBS.org. Archived from the original on March 12, 2001. Retrieved April 27, 2010. The West Film Project and WETA
12. ^ "Fence Cutting Wars, Texas Adjutant General R.N. Steagal Letter To John Ireland March 31, 1884". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas State Library and Archives Commission
13. ^ "James Lynch, The Founder of Mineral Wells". Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce
14. ^ Sam Fenstermacher. "Mineral Wells, Texas". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas Escapes
15. ^ "Mineral Wells State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
16. ^ "Brigadier General Jacob F. Wolters". Fort Wolters. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Brian N. Bagnall
17. ^ "Camp. Wolters". Fort Wolters. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Brian N. Bagnall
18. ^ "Possum Kingdom State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved April 27, 2010. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
19. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
20. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
21. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
22. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Palo Pinto County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Palo Pinto County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Palo Pinto County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
26. ^ Where Same-Sex Couples Live, June 26, 2015, retrieved July 6, 2015
27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
28. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Texas by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palo Pinto County, Texas.

* Official website
* Historic Palo Pinto County materials hosted by the Portal to Texas History
* Palo Pinto County from the Handbook of Texas Online

Places adjacent to Palo Pinto County, Texas

| Young County | Jack County | Wise County

|
|

|  |
Stephens County |

Palo Pinto County, Texas

| Parker County
|  |
Eastland County | Erath County | Hood County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States

County seat: Palo Pinto

Cities|

* Gordon
* Graford
* Mineral Wells‡
* Mingus
* Strawn

Palo Pinto County map

CDPs|

* Brazos
* Palo Pinto
* Santo

Other
community|

* Oran

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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32°45′11″N 98°18′47″W﻿ / ﻿32.75318°N 98.31302°W﻿ / 32.75318; -98.31302
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