Click Image to Enlarge
Texas Counties
Texas is divided into two hundred and fifty-four counties, more than any other state. Texas was originally divided into municipalities, a unit of local government under Spanish and Mexican rule. When the Republic of Texas gained its independence in 1836, there were 23 municipalities, which became the original Texas counties. Many of these would later be divided into new counties. The most recent county to be created was Kenedy County in 1921. The most recent county to be organized was Loving County in 1931Deaf Smith County, Texas
Deaf Smith County Education, Geography, and History
Deaf Smith County is a county located in the state of Texas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 19,372. The county seat is
Hereford, which is known as the "Beef Capital of the World". The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1890.
The Hereford, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Deaf Smith County.
Etymology - Origin of Deaf Smith County Name
The county was named for Erastus "Deaf" Smith (1787-1837), a partially-deaf scout and soldier who served in the Texas Revolution. (The pronunciation of "Deaf", like that of Smith, is "Deef".) He was the first to reach the Alamo after its fall.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Deaf Smith County History
Deaf Smith County is a county located in the US state of Texas. Its county seat is Hereford. In 1876 the state
legislature identified and named the county, but it was not organized until 1890, with the town of LaPlata as the
original county seat. The county was named for Erastus "Deaf" Smith (1787-1837), a partially-deaf scout and soldier who
served in the Texas Revolution. (The pronunciation of "Deaf", like that of Smith, is "Deef".) He was the first to reach
the Alamo after its fall.
Handbook of Texas Online
As the cattle industry in the county developed, the rising population created a need for local government.
Accordingly, after an election on December 1, 1890, the county was organized with the new town of La Plata as county
seat. Jerry R. Dean was elected the first county judge, and the colorful Jim Cook
became the first county sheriff. In 1898 the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe line,
built tracks from Amarillo to the Texas-New Mexico border at Farwell. This railroad crossed the southeastern corner
of Deaf Smith County and brought easy and economical transportation to the local ranchers. The coming of the
railroad also brought forth a new town, Hereford, which quickly outstripped the other local hamlets. As a result
Hereford became the county seat after an election on November 8, 1898, and La Plata soon faded into oblivion. By
1900 the county had ninety-seven ranches and farms and a population of 843. More at
H. Allen Anderson, "DEAF SMITH COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcd04),
accessed January 23, 2016. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,880 square kilometers (1,498 sq mi). 3,878
km2 (1,497 sq mi) of it is land and 2 km2 (1 sq mi) of it (0.06%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Oldham County (north)
- Randall County (east)
- Castro County (southeast)
- Parmer County (south)
- Curry County, New Mexico (southwest)
- Quay County, New Mexico (west)
Education
Click Image to Enlarge
