Hutchinson County

Hutchinson County Offices

Hutchinson County Town List

Hutchinson County, Texas, was founded in 1876 and named after Andrew Hutchinson, a pioneer settler and attorney. The county seat is Stinnett and houses most county offices and businesses. Hutchinson has everything you need for a comfortable stay. For instance, the security is excellent, the economy is booming, and above that, there are job opportunities. 

Read through for more information about Hutchinson County, Texas. 

History 

The first settlers arrived from the United States around 1830. They were primarily German immigrants who settled along the banks of the San Jacinto River near present-day Brenham. 

In the early years, there were few roads or bridges across the river. To reach their homes on the other side, they had to travel by ferry boat. Many of these original inhabitants are buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Brenham. 

A post office was established in 1877 when it opened as “Brenham.” It became known as “The City of Oaks” because of its many oak trees. By 1900, the population had grown enough that the name was changed to “Hutchison.” 

Indians were friendly with the pioneers until the end of the 19th century. The Indians called them “white people” but treated them well. There were no wars between the two groups. 

However, after 1890, white men began moving into Indian territory, looking for oil and minerals. This caused some tension between the whites and the natives. Some tribes would attack any white man found trespassing upon their land. 

In 1901, the town voted to incorporate itself under the laws of Texas. At this time, the city limits extended only three miles eastward from the center of town. In 1907, the railroad came through, bringing new business opportunities. 

The following year, the population reached 1,000 residents. That same year, the school district separated from the church district. 

Currently, the whites are the largest ethnic group living within the city boundaries. Most of the remaining population comprises Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, and others. 

English remains the dominant language spoken among most citizens. English is also used in all government offices, schools, churches, businesses, etc. Spanish is widely understood and used throughout the community. 

Most families have lived here for generations. As such, the culture and traditions remain strong. 

Population and Land Size 

The county population is 20,938, with females at 49.5% while males are 50.5%. The white occupy 91.7% of the total population, and Hispanics make up 6.6%. Most people live in rural areas compared to urban areas, which account for 14.2%. 

There are 2,074 households in the county, with an average household size of 3.11 persons per household. Of those, 964 are occupied housing units. 

The land size is 887.4 square miles with a density of 0.8 persons/square mile.   

Economy 

Today, Hutchison remains an active farming community with over 100 farms operating within the area. Agriculture continues to be one of the major industries. Farmers grow crops like cotton, corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, peanuts, and hay.  

Besides, they keep cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, eggs and produce dairy products. Large ranches are available for those wanting to raise horses.  

The city also contains several businesses, including two grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, restaurants, auto parts stores, feed mills, and banks.  

Others are insurance agencies, funeral homes, real estate companies, churches, libraries, fire departments, hospitals, and more. 

You’ll still access services, including a public swimming pool, senior citizen centers, parks, recreation areas, golf course, and much more! 

Education also contributes to the economy of this county. Schools offer education from prekindergarten through high school. Students can attend private Christian academies, parochial schools, and public schools. 

High School graduates may choose to continue their studies at colleges and universities. Others find jobs in the county and contribute towards building the county’s economy.  

Towns in Hutchinson County, Texas 

Stinnett is the largest town and the county seat. It has approximately 1,700 residents. Stinnett was established as a trading post by John W. Stinnett on April 8, 1873.  

He named it after his son-in-law, William H. Stinnett. By 1880, there were 300 inhabitants. It is now a business town and has most of the offices. 

Borger is another town with industries, retail centers. Museums, hotels, and other facilities. The Borger Independent School District serves students who live in Borger. Lone Oak is the third town in Hutchinson County.  

This small town has about 500 people. Lone Oak lies along US Highway 82 between Borger and Stinnett. There are many antique shops, galleries, cafes, and specialty food markets. 

Fritch is another town that offers shopping malls, gas stations, fast-food chains, movie theaters, and other amenities. Fritch is near Interstate 40. 

Sanford is the smallest town in Hutchinson County. Sanford has only four streets. However, it contains some historic buildings. Sanford’s primary attraction is its cemetery which dates back to 1847.  

County Offices 

Hutchinson county offices offer various services to residents. These include: 

County Judge Office- It provides legal advice and assistance to citizens regarding civil matters. The current officeholder is Judge Cindy Irwin. She can be reached at 806-878-4000. 

Clerk’s Office– Offers document filing service for both individuals and corporations. The clerk in charge is Jan Barnes. You can reach her at 806-878-4002. 

Sheriff’s Office– Provides law enforcement protection and emergency medical services. The sheriff in charge is Sheriff Kirk A. You can call the office at 806-274-6343. 

Tax Collector – Collects taxes and distributes them to local governments. The collector works closely with the county treasurer. Presently, Carrie Kimmell holds this office. You can reach the office at 806-878-4005. 

Hutchinson County Auditor office helps taxpayers file income tax returns. Taxpayers must contact this office if they have questions concerning their return. The auditor in charge is Mark Dill. You can reach him at 806-878-4015. 

Hutchinson County Attorney’s office handles all criminal cases filed against persons charged with crimes in Hutchinson County. The attorney in charge is Craig Jones. You can reach him via phone at 806-273-0134.  

Conclusion 

In summary, Hutchinson County is one of the best places to raise cattle or horses. It also offers excellent hunting opportunities. Its proximity to Amarillo makes it an ideal place to visit during weekends.  

People from different parts of the country come here because of the quality education offered by schools. In addition, the recreational activities available make it a favorite among tourists.