Editing Sweetwater, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sweetwater, Texas
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Life Is Sweet In Texas"
| image_skyline      = Sweetwater Texas Municipal Building.jpg
| image_caption      = Municipal building north of the Nolan County Courthouse.
| image_flag         = Flag of Sweetwater, Texas.png
| image_map          = Nolan County Sweetwater.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Sweetwater
<!-- Location -->
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates        = {{Coord|32|29|09|N|100|24|30|W|region:US-TX_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Nolan County, Texas|Nolan]]
<!-- Established -->
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 
| established_title1 = [[Platted]]
| established_date1  = 
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = 
| named_for          = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = Council-Manager
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web |title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 11.07
| area_land_sq_mi    = 11.07
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_total_km2     = 28.68
| area_land_km2      = 28.68
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total   = 10622
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = −6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 79556
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 325|325]]
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 2175
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-71540<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
| blank1_info        = 2412023<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412023}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cityofsweetwatertx.com/|City website}}
}}

'''Sweetwater''' is a municipality in and the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Nolan County, Texas]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> It is 123 miles southeast of [[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]] and 40 miles west of [[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]]. Its population was 10,622 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name=":0" />

==History==
The town's name "Sweetwater" is the English translation of the [[Kiowa language]] word "Mobeetie".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/08/09/from-bug-tussle-to-tarzan-here-are-40-of-the-oddest-texas-town-names-and-the-stories-behind-them/ | title=From Bug Tussle to Tarzan, here are 40 of the oddest Texas town names | date=August 9, 2020 | publisher=Click2Houston | access-date=23 August 2020}}</ref>

Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The [[Texas and Pacific Railway]] arrived on March 12, 1881, beginning Sweetwater's long history as a railroad town. To encourage the railroads, Sweetwater increased its water supply by building City Lake in 1898 (now called Newman Park), and three further lakes thereafter. Construction began on the [[Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway]] in 1903.  By 1912 the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway|Santa Fe Railway]] was serving Sweetwater via its new Coleman Cutoff<ref>''Trade and Transportation''. (1911). United States: (n.p.). p.192</ref> and completing a connection with the T&P nearby at "Tecific" junction.  Businesses and homes were built along the rail lines. Texas and Pacific Railway passenger service was discontinued in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/texasmarkers/5928759465/|title=Texas and Pacific Railway, Sweetwater, Texas Historical Marker|website=flickr.com|date=July 2011 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

Gulf Refinery operated from 1929 to 1954, and at one time the town was a large telegraph center. The International Harvester Company operated a factory on W. Third Street in Sweetwater from 1920 to 1950. Gypsum plants, apparel manufacturers, cement plants, cotton compresses, a cottonseed oil mill, and packing companies were among the nearly 250 businesses operating there from the 1970s. Many still operate today. Sweetwater remains a production hub for such commodities as cotton, oil, and cattle. The population of Sweetwater has remained steady between 11,000 and 13,000 since 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hes09|title=SWEETWATER, TX|first=HUNT, WILLIAM|last=R.|date=15 June 2010|website=www.tshaonline.org|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

At Sweetwater during [[World War II]], one class of [[British Flying Training School Program|British RAF pilots]] was trained before the airfield was converted for training American women pilots. The [[Women Airforce Service Pilots]] (WASPs) were trained under the direction of famed [[aviator]] [[Jacqueline Cochran]] at Sweetwater's [[Avenger Field]]. These WASPs were the first women to fly American military aircraft. The military airstrip was closed at the end of the war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=National WWII WASP Museum in Sweetwater, Texas holds hidden history of female pilots |url=https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/national-wwii-wasp-museum-in-sweetwater-texas-holds-hidden-history-of-female-pilots/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=ConchoValleyHomepage.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National WASP WWII Museum – Honoring the life and legacy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots |url=https://www.waspmuseum.org/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |language=en}}</ref>

Pilots flying over Sweetwater can still land at Avenger Field – the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The National WASP WWII Museum is located at Avenger Field.<ref>http://waspmuseum.org/|National{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} WASP WWII Museum website.</ref> The WASP women were not recognized for having served in the armed forces until 1977, after [[U.S. Senator]] [[Barry M. Goldwater]] of [[Arizona]] and [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Bruce Arnold, late son of [[General]] [[Hap Arnold]], gained their official recognition as military veterans. In 1970, the field was developed for [[Texas State Technical College]] in Sweetwater.<ref>Marina Nemir of Sweetwater, "WASP (Women's Airforce Pilots) and the Avenger Field in Sweetwater", [[West Texas Historical Association]], annual meeting, West Texas A&M University at Canyon, April 5, 2008.</ref>

Sweetwater is also home to the Pioneer Museum, with display rooms depicting the lives of early settlers. It has extensive photograph files, farm and ranch exhibits, Indian artifacts, and WASP exhibits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofsweetwatertx.com/index.aspx?NID=135 |title=City of Sweetwater, TX - Official Website - Pioneer Museum |access-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119131023/http://www.cityofsweetwatertx.com/index.aspx?NID=135 |archive-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

The local newspaper, ''Sweetwater Reporter'', was founded in 1911. The newspaper, first established in 1881, was called the ''Sweetwater Advance''. It was later published as the ''Nolan County Review'', and became the ''Daily Reporter'' in 1911.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com|title=The Sweetwater Reporter|website=www.sweetwaterreporter.com|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> An historic, early 20th-century, stage theater has been renovated and is in full use. The Municipal Auditorium, where [[Elvis Presley]] performed twice in 1955, continues to feature live acts. Sweetwater's Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital was founded in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpmh.net|title=RPMH – Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital|website=www.rpmh.net|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

Sports include access to a large public swimming pool and  an 18-hole golf course (opened 1958).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golfnow.com/course-directory/texas-golf-courses/sweetwater-golf-courses/sweetwater-country-club|title=24/7 Tee Time Booking, Golf GPS & Scoring, Memberships and Social - GolfNow|website=GolfNow|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> Public fishing and recreational facilities are located at Lake Sweetwater.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoA0b-xb7-c| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521111024/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoA0b-xb7-c| archive-date=2017-05-21 | url-status=dead|title=Austin VS Clay: The Pussying|last=TheMineForger|date=19 November 2013|access-date=2 April 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>

First Baptist Church had one of the earliest congregations in Sweetwater, and it continues to thrive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5353001679 |title=Texas Historical Marker - First Baptist Church of Sweetwater |access-date=2013-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628090341/http://9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5353001679 |archive-date=2013-06-28}}</ref>

Parts of the south side of Sweetwater were devastated by an estimated EF3 [[tornado]] that swept through town early in the morning of April 19, 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ktxs.com/news/big-country/sweetwater-residents-recall-devastating-tornado-30-years-later|title=Sweetwater residents recall devastating tornado 30 years later|last=Jensen|first=Will|date=2016-04-19|website=KTXS|access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>

[[File:Wind turbine Sweetwater Texas 2652367828 01d4a129f7 o.jpg|upright|thumb|Wind turbine near Sweetwater, Texas]]
Sweetwater is the center of the leading [[wind power]] generation region of the Western Hemisphere. It is sometimes <!-- really? incorrectly --> called the "Wind Turbine Capital of Texas". The largest wind farm in Texas is [[Roscoe Wind Farm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.power-technology.com/projects/roscoe-wind-farm/|title=The Roscoe Wind Farm Project, Texas, USA - Power Technology|website=power-technology.com|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> In 2009 about 1,330 direct wind-related jobs were created in Nolan County alone, where the industry generated almost $18,000,000 in annual landowner royalties and over $12,000,000 in annual local school taxes (2007).<ref>http://www.moakcasey.com/articles/viewarticledoc.aspx/Nolan%20County%20Case%20Study.pdf?AID=168&DID=288 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

Special events include the world's largest [[rattlesnake round-up]], held annually since 1958 by the Sweetwater [[Jaycees]] on the second weekend in March.<ref>[http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.net The Sweetwater Jaycees' Annual Rattlesnake RoundUp - Home Page<!-- Bot generated title -->].</ref> It is held along with a gun and coin show hosted by the Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club, which was founded in the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sweetwaterrifleandpistolclub.com/index_Page385.htm |title=About Us |access-date=2013-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506083144/http://www.sweetwaterrifleandpistolclub.com/index_Page385.htm |archive-date=2014-05-06}}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], in 2020, the city had a total land area of {{convert|11.07|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, all  land.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census.gov |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sweetwatercitytexas/PST045222 |access-date=10 February 2023 |website=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sweetwater city, Texas}}</ref>

Sweetwater is the center of the Western Hemisphere's leading wind power generation region and West Texas has more than 4,000 megawatts of operational [[Wind power in Texas|wind energy]]. Nolan County alone would currently rank as the eighth-largest "nation" in terms of wind energy generation - with more than 1,500 MW installed.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-04-2007/0004655682&EDATE= Composite Technology's DeWind Announces Texas Wind Turbine Demonstration Site].</ref>

===Climate===
The climate type in the Sweetwater area occurs primarily on the periphery of the true deserts in low-latitude [[Semi-arid climate|semiarid steppe]] regions. The [[Köppen climate classification]] subtype for this climate is ''BSk'' (tropical and subtropical steppe climate).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=939814&cityname=Sweetwater,+Texas,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Sweetwater, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 614
| 1900 = 670
| 1910 = 4176
| 1920 = 4307
| 1930 = 10848
| 1940 = 10367
| 1950 = 13619
| 1960 = 13914
| 1970 = 12020
| 1980 = 12242
| 1990 = 11967
| 2000 = 11415
| 2010 = 10906
| 2020 = 10622
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Sweetwater racial composition'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4871540&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic''){{efn|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 can be of any race.<ref>https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|5,158
|48.56%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|592
|5.57%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|24
|0.23%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|93
|0.88%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|2
|0.02%
|-
|Some other race (NH)
|22
|0.21%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/multiracial]] (NH)
|320
|3.01%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|4,411
|41.53%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''10,622'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]],  10,622 people, 3,752 households, and 2,464 families were residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 11,415 people, 4,545 households, and 3,017 families resided in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,139.4 people/sq mi (439.9/km{{sup|2}}). The 5,202 housing units averaged 319.2/sq mi (200.4/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 75.29% White, 5.83% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 15.71% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31.70% of the population.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.1% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,293, and for a family was $29,953. Males had a median income of $27,722 versus $18,064 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,065. About 20.5% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The City of Sweetwater is served by the [[Sweetwater Independent School District]], which includes J.P.Cowen Early Childhood Center, East Ridge Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Sweetwater Intermediate School, Sweetwater Middle School, and [[Sweetwater High School (Texas)|Sweetwater High School]]. For more information about Sweetwater ISD, visit the [http://sweetwaterisd.net/ official SISD website].

Sweetwater is the home of the West Texas campus of the [[Texas State Technical College System]], which added the first community college wind-energy program in Texas in 2007.<ref name="block_2008">{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008271.html 
 |title=In Windy West Texas, An Economic Boom 
 |first=Ben 
 |last=Block 
 |date=2008-07-24 
 |access-date=2008-11-05 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109061905/http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008271.html 
 |archive-date=2009-01-09 
}}</ref> Also in 2007, TSTC constructed a [[Unconventional wind turbines#Wind turbines on public display|demonstration]] 2 [[megawatt|MW]] 60&nbsp;Hz [[DeWind]] D8.2 prototype [[wind turbine]] for student training.<ref name="bnet_2007">{{Cite web
 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5CNK/is_2007_Sept_6/ai_n25011477
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425075734/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5CNK/is_2007_Sept_6/ai_n25011477/
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=2009-04-25
 |title=DeWind Plans Wind Turbine Demo Site in Sweetwater, Texas 
 |date=2007-09-06 
 |publisher=BNET Business Network 
 |access-date=2008-11-05 
}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Joe Banyard]], former NFL player for the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], [[New Orleans Saints]], [[Minnesota Vikings]], and [[Buffalo Bills]]
* [[Sammy Baugh]], Hall of Fame NFL and TCU football player<ref name="Baugh">{{cite web|title=Biography - Sammy Baugh|url=http://www.fwmuseum.org/fort-worth-champions-sammy-baugh|publisher=Fort Worth Museum of Science and History|access-date=22 Nov 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916014843/http://www.fwmuseum.org/fort-worth-champions-sammy-baugh|archive-date=2011-09-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Doyle Brunson]], the poker legend called "Texas Dolly"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doylebrunson.com/media/interviews/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723061906/http://www.doylebrunson.com/media/interviews/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |title=Doyle Brunson Official Website |access-date= 2011-11-22}}</ref>
* [[Frank Hamer]], a [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] who, along with his brother Gus, had a pistol fight in Sweetwater with Gee McMeans<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth126101/m1/1/|title=The Aspermont Star (Aspermont, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917|first=Will A.|last=Dunwody|date=October 4, 1917|publisher=The Portal to Texas History}}</ref> 
* [[John Layfield]], retired professional wrestler<ref>[http://www.reiresearch.com/public/2166.cfm istria camping quantitative analysis pula at reiresearch.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428032336/http://www.reiresearch.com/public/2166.cfm |date=2007-04-28 }})</ref>
* [[Blackjack Mulligan]], retired professional wrestler<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/blackjack-mulligan.html |title=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=2012-07-29}}</ref>
* [[Jack Roberts (judge)|Jack Roberts]] (1910-1988) was a United States federal judge of U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/node/1387001|title=Roberts, Jack - Federal Judicial Center|website=www.fjc.gov|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>
* [[Tex Robertson]], University of Texas swimming coach, was born in Sweetwater.<ref name="Robertson">{{cite web |url=http://www.tsdhof.org/bio-Tex%20Robertson.html |title=Biography - Tex Robertson |publisher=Texas Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame |access-date=25 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129163045/http://www.tsdhof.org/bio-Tex%20Robertson.html |archive-date=29 November 2010}}</ref>
* [[Zollie Coffer Steakley, Jr.]], [[Texas Secretary of State]] and [[Texas Supreme Court]], practiced law in Sweetwater during the 1930s.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~txnolan/nolan_co100yr/steakley_zollie_coffer.htm Zollie Coffer Steakley<!-- Bot generated title -->].</ref>
* [[Bulldog Turner|Clyde "Bulldog" Turner]], a graduate of [[Sweetwater High School (Texas)|Sweetwater High School]], is a member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].
* [[James White (cross-country)|James White]], high-school cross-country coach at [[McFarland High School (California)|McFarland High School]].
* [[Barry Windham]] is a retired professional wrestler.
* [[Bobby Witcher]], amateur herpetologist best known carefree handling of venomous snakes, born in Sweetwater

==Recreation==
*Newman Field, ballpark

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sweetwater, Texas}}
{{Wikivoyage|Sweetwater}}

* [https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/sweetwater-tx Sweetwater TX] at the ''Handbook of Texas Online''
* {{YouTube|OSVtSecQmYQ|TimeLapse video}} showing construction of a [[DeWind]] turbine for [[Texas State Technical College]] in Sweetwater
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306064136/http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/arevisionofelvisintexas.shtml/ Elvis Presley two performances in Sweetwater 1954-55]

{{Nolan County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nolan County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Texas]]
[[Category:Year of establishment missing]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:19th-century establishments in Texas]]