Edwards County

Edwards County Offices

Edwards County Town List

Edwards is one of the counties on the southwestern side of Texas. The largest town in Edwards County is Rocksprings, with an approximate area of 3.16 km².  

It comprises some cities and towns such as; Barksdale, Kinsley, and Offerle. Other popular small unincorporated communities in Edward County are Carta Valley and Hackberry. The County seat is Rocksprings. Several Interstate Highways pass through Edwards County, including:  

• State Highway 41 
• State Highway 55 
• Highway 277 
• Highway 377 

History of Edwards County 

Before the settlement of Whites in the mid-1800s, Lipan Apache Indians settled in the area. In 1762, a group of Spanish missionaries established a Christian Mission Center, San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz, on land known as “Edwards County,” trying to change the Indian culture to Christianity. However, the Spanish missionaries did not settle in the area.  

Early settlers in Edwards County realized that it was unsuitable for agriculture and opted for ranching as an alternative. The Nacogdoches group was one of the first American settlers in Edwards County. During the early 20th century, the demand for mohair and wool was at its peak leading to the decline of Angora goats and sheep in 1987. 

As of 1858, settlers established Edwards County from Bexar County and named it for Hayden Edwards. However, the Edwards County organization was founded in 1883. Settlers declared Rocksprings the county seat in 1891. Rocksprings came after several changes from the initial Bullhead, Vance, Rock Springs, and now Rocksprings. 

Geography of Edwards County 

Edwards County has 2,120 square miles of land on the Edward Plateau. It is 29°45′ on the northern latitude and 100°16′ on the western latitude.  

The terrain consists mainly of higher elevating grounds from 1,500 to 2,410 feet above sea level. The Llano River and Nueces River drains throughout the county. 

The following counties border Edwards County: 

• Sutton County borders it to the northern side 
• Kerr on the eastern side 
• Kinney on the southern side 
• Val Verde on the western side 
• Real and Uvalde to the southeast 
• Stonewall to the northwest 

Edwards County Demographics  

According to the 2019 Census, approximately 1,932 people are living within the county’s borders. Of those individuals, about 94.6% identify themselves as white, 1.2% black or African American, 42.3% Hispanic and Latinos, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and 1.1% of more than two races.  

About 21.7% of the households have children under the age of 18 years old. Approximately 5.8% of the population consists of children under five years of age.  

Roughly 29.0% of persons are 65 years and above. About 57% of the population aged 5+ years speak English at home. Meaning 43.0% of the population speaks another language at home apart from English. Seven hundred and eighty-nine households and 159 veterans were residing in the county between 2015 – 2019.   

Edwards County Offices  

Several county offices serve different purposes for people who reside in Edwards County. You can find these offices throughout the county. These offices include; 

County Judge: Judge Souli Asa Shanklin is the county judge who serves as the Edwards county judicial branch head. He oversees the meeting agendas, court calendars, and all legal matters about the county.  

His office is at 100 W. Main PO Box 348 Rocksprings, Texas 78880. You can contact him via phone at 830-683-6122, fax at 830-683-6385, or you can also send him mail at [email protected].  

Sheriff: Sheriff James W. Guthrie is the Edwards county sheriff who oversees law enforcement activities in the area. His office is at 404 W. Austin PO Box 156 Rocksprings, Texas 78880. Contact him by calling 830-683-4104 or faxing at 830-683-4102. You can also send him mail at [email protected].  

Commissioners Court: This department comprises four precinct commissioners who oversee the jurisdictions of Edwards County. You can reach Edwards County Commissioner’s Court 400 West Main PO Box 348 Rocksprings, Texas 78880.   

• Precinct 1 Commissioner: Marty H. Graham’s office address is PO Box 948 Rocksprings, TX 78880. You can contact him at 830-683-2222 or send mail at [email protected].  
• Precinct 2 Commissioner: Lee D. Sweeten’s office address is PO Box 371 Camp Wood, TX 78833. You can contact him at 210-912-8481 or send mail at [email protected].  
• Precinct 3 Commissioner: Matt Fry’s office address is PO Box 593 Rocksprings, TX 78880. You can contact him via phone at 830-683-2266 or send mail at [email protected].  
• Precinct 4 Commissioner: Kenneth Reed’s office address is 1778 Tx Hwy 41 Rocksprings, TX 78880. You can contact him via phone at 830-834-5389 or send mail at [email protected].  

County & District Clerk: Olga Lydia Reyes is the clerk of Edwards county. Her office address is 101 E. Main PO Box 184 Rocksprings, TX 78880. You can contact her office at 830-683-2235, fax 830-683-5376, or you can also send him mail at [email protected].    

County Attorney: Allen Ray Moody is the county attorney for Edwards county. His office address is 209 W. Main PO Box 707 Rocksprings, TX 78880. You can contact his office at 830-683-6126, fax 830-683-6129, or you can also send him mail at [email protected].   

District Attorney: Tonya Ahlschwede is the 452nd District Attorney of Edwards county. He handles criminal cases involving state laws. His office address is PO Box 635Mason, TX 76856. Call his office at 325-446-9425 or fax 325-446-9427.  

County Tax Assessor-Collector: Lorri Garcia Ruiz is the Tax Assessor-Collector. His office address is 101 E. Main PO Box 378 Rocksprings, TX 78880. Phone Number 830-683-2337. Fax Number 830-683-4195. You can also send him mail at [email protected].  

Edwards County Arrested Economic Growth  

In 1946, settlers discovered the first oil well in Edwards County. Between 1958 and 1978, oil barrels increased from 1,066 to 8,254. However, production of oil declined to 4,371 in 1990 

The revenue from the tourism sector amounts to 20% of the annual Edwards’ County income. The tourism sector is rich in game and wildlife resources benefiting the county’s economy.  

The demand for mohair and wool in the county led to a slight fall in the economy. However, goat and sheep ranching still controls the economy of Edwards County. The county has also benefited from purchasing properties like: 

• Texas bought an old hospital premise within Rocksprings. The building was converted into the Sheriff’s office and there was an establishment of a new jail for both federal and state inmates. 
• They bought forty thousand acres of the Devil’s Sinkhole land. Part of the area has a cave. The cave is home to thousands of Mexican bats.