Editing Ward County, Texas

{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Ward County
 | state                = Texas
 | flag                 = Flag of Ward County, Texas.svg
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = 1892
 | seat wl              = Monahans
 | largest city wl      = Monahans
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 836
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 836
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.2
 | area percentage      = 0.03
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 11644
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | ex image             = Ward county courthouse 2009.jpg
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image cap         = The Ward County Courthouse in Monahans
 | web                  = www.co.ward.tx.us
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[Thomas W. Ward]]
 | district             = 23rd
}}

'''Ward County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 11,644.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ward County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US48475|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref> The county seat is [[Monahans, Texas|Monahans]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was created in 1887 and organized in 1892.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/TX_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Texas: Individual County Chronologies|work=Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=[[Newberry Library|The Newberry Library]]|date=2008|access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> It is named for [[Thomas W. Ward]], a soldier in the [[Texas Revolution]].

==History==

===Native Americans===

Archeological investigations conducted in northwestern Ward County have found evidence of prehistoric man in the form of occupational debris, [[petroglyph]]s, and [[pictogram|pictographs]]. Tribes occupying the area include [[Suma-Jumano]], [[Apache]], and [[Comanche]]. The sand hills have contained native artifacts.<ref>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcw03 Texas Handbook, Ward County]</ref>

===Growth===

The [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] in 1858 used Emigrant's Crossing, where exposed rocks afford one of the few places safe for fording the [[Pecos River]]. The stage line had an adobe station and a high-walled adobe corral there.<ref>[http://www.forttours.com/pages/hmreeves.asp#crossing Fort Tours]</ref>

In 1881, the [[Texas and Pacific Railway]] crossed the region and established stations at Sand Hills, Monahans, Aroya, Pyote, Quito, Quito Quarry, and Barstow.<ref>[http://www.texaspacificrailway.org/ Texas and Pacific Railway Home Page]</ref>

The Texas State Legislature carved Ward County from a portion of [[Tom Green County, Texas|Tom Green County]] in 1887. The county was organized in 1892. Barstow became the county seat. Barstow became a farming and ranching trade center by 1904. Drought plagued the area in the early part of the 20th century.

Ward County benefitted from the opening of the Hendrick oilfield [[Winkler County, Texas|Winkler County]] in 1926. Pipelines and railroad loading tanks were constructed at [[Wickett, Texas|Wickett]], [[Pyote, Texas|Pyote]],<ref>[http://www.texasescapes.com/WestTexasTowns/Pyote-Texas.htm Texas Escapes, Pyote]</ref> and Monahans. Oil was discovered at [[Grandfalls, Texas|Grandfalls]]<ref>[http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/GrandfallsTexas/GrandfallsTexas.htm Texas Escapes, Grandfalls]</ref>  in 1929, and the nearby community of [[Royalty, Texas|Royalty]] was established.  [[Shell Oil Company]] constructed an {{convert|8|acre|m2|adj=on}} tank that would hold a million barrels.<ref>[http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5475003386 Texas Historical Markers, Million Barrel Tank]</ref><ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txward/million_barrel_museum.htm Rootsweb, Million Barrel Tank and Museum]</ref> By January 1, 1991, {{convert|668715000|oilbbl}} of oil had been produced in the county since 1928.

On May 10, 1938, Monahans won a contested election to move the county seat from Barstow. The election was upheld in 1939, and the county seat moved to Monahans that year.

Pyote Air Force Station <ref>[http://www.texasescapes.com/WorldWarII/Pyote-Air-Force-Station-AKA-Rattlesnake-Bomber-Base-Texas.htm Texas Escapes, Pyote Air Force Station]</ref> opened in 1942, becoming the largest bomber installation in the United States. The plane ''[[Enola Gay]]'', which dropped the atomic bomb on [[Hiroshima]], was later stored here. The base became inactive during the [[Korean War]].<ref>[http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5475004204 Texas Historical Markers, Rattlesnake Bomber Base]</ref>

[[Monahans Sandhills State Park]] opened in 1957. The [[Sealy & Smith Foundation|Sealy-Smith Foundation]] leased much of the land to the state in 1956 until 2056. An additional {{convert|900|acre|km2}} were leased from the Williams family of Monahans.<ref>[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/monahans_sandhills/ TPWD Monahans]</ref><ref>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/gkm05 Handbook of Texas, Monahans Sandhills State Historic Park]</ref><ref>[http://www.stateparks.com/monahans_sand_hills.html State Parks, Monahans]</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|836|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|836|sqmi|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (0.03%) is covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 12, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* [[Image:I-20 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 20 (Texas)|Interstate 20]]
* [[Image:Texas 18.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 18|State Highway 18]]
* [[Image:Texas 115.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 115|State Highway 115]]
* [[Image:Texas 329.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 329|State Highway 329]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Winkler County, Texas|Winkler County]] (north)
* [[Ector County, Texas|Ector County]] (northeast)
* [[Crane County, Texas|Crane County]] (east)
* [[Pecos County, Texas|Pecos County]] (south)
* [[Reeves County, Texas|Reeves County]] (west)
* [[Loving County, Texas|Loving County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 77
|1900= 1451
|1910= 2389
|1920= 2615
|1930= 4599
|1940= 9575
|1950= 13346
|1960= 14917
|1970= 13019
|1980= 13976
|1990= 13115
|2000= 10909
|2010= 10658
|2020= 11644
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br />1850–2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010|publisher=Texas Almanac|access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Ward County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Ward County, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US48475&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ward County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48475&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ward County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48475&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|5,695
|4,922
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,506
|52.20%
|46.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |38.70%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|476
|474
|style='background: #ffffe6; |415
|4.36%
|4.45%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.56%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|48
|48
|style='background: #ffffe6; |41
|0.44%
|0.45%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.35%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|31
|31
|style='background: #ffffe6; |69
|0.28%
|0.29%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|3
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|0.03%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|3
|9
|style='background: #ffffe6; |22
|0.03%
|0.08%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|73
|100
|style='background: #ffffe6; |264
|0.67%
|0.94%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.27%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|4,580
|5,074
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,325
|41.98%
|47.61%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |54.32%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''10,909'''
|'''10,658'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''11,644'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, 10,909 people, 3,964 households, and 2,929 families were residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The 4,832 housing units averaged {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 79.79% White, 4.61% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 12.55% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. About 41.98% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 3,964 households, 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were not families. About 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66, and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the age distribution was 30.60% under 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,386, and for a family was $36,014. Males had a median income of $31,373 versus $18,198 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,393. About 15.80% of families and 17.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and infrastructure==
An [[unincorporated area]] near Pyote is the site of the former [[Pyote Air Force Base]]. The facility housed the [[West Texas State School]], operated by the [[Texas Youth Commission]], until the youth detention facility closed in 2010.<ref>"[http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/programs/facility_address.html Facility Address List] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011110114953/http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/programs/facility_address.html |date=2001-11-10 }}." [[Texas Youth Commission]]. Retrieved on May 23, 2010.</ref><ref name="WTMayclose">Ward, Mike. "[http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/03/17/17tycaudit.html Report: school "did not provide a safe environment"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062456/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/03/17/17tycaudit.html |date=2011-06-07 }}." ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''. Saturday March 17, 2007. Retrieved on May 23, 2010.</ref><ref>"[http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12585065 TYC Facility in Pyote Officially Closes Their Doors]." Newswest 9. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.</ref>

===Politics===
{{PresHead|place=Ward County, Texas|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,115|627|22|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,241|764|55|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,547|783|115|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,366|841|38|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,667|899|36|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,856|901|11|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,534|1,256|84|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,620|1,644|468|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,769|1,695|958|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,709|1,858|23|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,474|1,188|31|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,912|1,405|79|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,123|2,046|49|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,687|1,049|56|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,552|1,331|1,382|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,730|2,221|3|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,763|2,018|71|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,772|1,638|22|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,994|1,840|2|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|414|2,119|125|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|268|1,448|103|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|281|1,931|15|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|98|1,113|2|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|70|678|7|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|216|256|0|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|42|206|26|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|79|181|5|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|23|178|10|Texas}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|6|147|38|Texas}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Barstow, Texas|Barstow]]
* [[Monahans, Texas|Monahans]] (county seat)

===Towns===
* [[Grandfalls, Texas|Grandfalls]]
* [[Pyote, Texas|Pyote]]
* [[Thorntonville, Texas|Thorntonville]]
* [[Wickett, Texas|Wickett]]

===Census-designated place===
* [[Southwest Sandhill, Texas|Southwest Sandhill]]

===Unincorporated community===
* [[Royalty, Texas|Royalty]]

===Ghost town===
* [[Three Corner Windmill, Texas|Three Corner Windmill]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [[List of Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (Trinity-Zavala)#Ward County|Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Ward County]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.co.ward.tx.us/ Ward County government's website]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcw03|name=Ward County}}
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Ward+County%22&t=dc.coverage Historic Ward County materials], hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History.]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Ward County, Texas
|North     = [[Winkler County, Texas|Winkler County]]
|Northeast = [[Ector County, Texas|Ector County]]
|East      = [[Crane County, Texas|Crane County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Pecos County, Texas|Pecos County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Reeves County, Texas|Reeves County]]
|Northwest = [[Loving County, Texas|Loving County]]
}}

{{Ward County, Texas}}
{{Texas counties}}
{{Texas}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|31.51|-103.10|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TX_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Ward County, Texas| ]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in Texas]]