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Mineral Wells, Texas

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Mineral Wells is a city in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 14,820 at the 2020 census. The city is named for mineral wells in the area, which were highly popular in the early 1900s.

History

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File:Texas - Mineral Wells - NARA - 68149604 (cropped).jpg
Mineral Wells in 1937

In 1919, Mineral Wells hosted the spring training camp for the Chicago White Sox, the year of the famous "Black Sox" scandal involving "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Mineral Wells also hosted spring training for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals in the 1910s and early 1920s. The baseball field was located in the center of town.Template:Citation needed

Military History

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Mineral Wells military history dates back to 1864 with the organization of Company 1, 4th Texas Infantry. By January 1925, the War Department approved the site that would become Camp Wolters, the training ground for the 56th Cavalry Brigade of the Texas National Guard.

In 1956, the base began operations as the Primary Helicopter Center of the United States Army that would provide basic training and primary flight training for all rotary-wing aviators. The Vietnam War created an increased need for pilots. To meet the demand, Fort Wolters increased operations to become the training site for helicopter pilots for the Marine Corp in 1968 and the Air Force in 1970. Nearly every helicopter pilot that flew in Vietnam was trained at Fort Wolters.

Fort Wolters was deactivated in 1973.

State Park

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Mineral Wells is very well known for the state park which features fishing, camping, horse riding, biking, hiking trails and rock climbing. One attraction is Penitentiary Hollow, a popular rock climbing area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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Mineral Wells lies east of the Brazos River and Palo Pinto Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.2 square miles (54.9 kmTemplate:Sup), of which 20.5 square miles (53.0 kmTemplate:Sup) are land and 0.7 square mile (1.9 kmTemplate:Sup) (3.45%) is covered by water.

Mineral Wells is Template:Convert west of Fort Worth and Template:Convert east of Abilene.

Climate

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The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen climate classification describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the code Cfa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Mineral Wells racial composition as of 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
(NH = Non-Hispanic)Template:Efn
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 9,457 63.81%
Black or African American (NH) 516 3.48%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 69 0.47%
Asian (NH) 155 1.05%
Pacific Islander (NH) 10 0.07%
Some Other Race (NH) 40 0.27%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 506 3.41%
Hispanic or Latino 4,067 27.44%
Total 14,820

According to the 2020 United States census, the city had a population of 14,820 individuals, residing in 4,958 households, and belonging to 3,329 families. This represents a decrease of 12.54% compared to the figures reported in the 2000 Census.

Government

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File:Historic Post Office in Mineral Wells, Texas.JPG
Historic post office in Mineral Wells

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Mineral Wells District Parole Office in Mineral Wells.<ref>"Parole Division Region II Template:Webarchive." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.</ref> The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) operated the Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility in the Fort Wolters Industrial Park on behalf of the TDCJ. It closed in August 2013.<ref>"Mineral Wells (T2)." (Archive) Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on March 22, 2013.</ref> The correctional facility, which had been operated by CCA since 1995, is located on the property of the former Fort Wolters in Palo Pinto County and in Mineral Wells. It can house up to 2,100 prisoners. As of March 2013, its annual payroll was $11.7 million, and it was among the largest employers in Mineral Wells, with about 300 employees. On Monday March 4, 2013, the Texas Senate Senate Finance Committee voted 11–4 to close the correctional facility.<ref name=Montgomerylawmakers>Montgomery, Dave. "Lawmakers look to close private prison in Mineral Wells." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Tuesday March 5, 2013. Retrieved on March 22, 2013.</ref> Mike Allen, the mayor of Mineral Wells, criticized the closure, saying, "We'll lose right at over 300 jobs, and 300 jobs in a community of 17,000 ... is devastating. This means a lot to this community."<ref name=Montgomerylawmakers/> John Whitmire, the head of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said, "We're sitting on about 12,000 empty [prison] beds, so it just makes good business sense ... that we not operate it, and we take those savings and plow them back into additional public-safety programs."<ref name=Montgomerylawmakers/>

The United States Postal Service operates the Mineral Wells Post Office. Zip codes are 76067 and 76068.<ref>"Post Office Location - MINERAL WELLS Template:Webarchive." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 16, 2010.</ref>

Education

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Mineral Wells is served by the Mineral Wells Independent School District, and by the Community Christian School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Weatherford College operates a branch campus on the old Fort Wolters facility.

Notable people

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References

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Template:Palo Pinto County, Texas Template:Parker County, Texas

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