Jim Wells County

Jim Wells County Offices

Jim Wells County Town List

Jim Wells County is named after James Babbage Wells Jr., a Confederate general during the Civil War, who was born near Jim Wells Springs. Jim was also a known rancher. The county seat is Alice, popular for its annual rodeo held each year at the end of April.  

The county dates back to 1911 and is among the newest counties established in the state. 

Based on 2019 population estimates, this county has 40,482 people. Females are 50.4% of the total population, with males making up 49.6%. 

History of Jim Wells 

The Jim Wells County early settlers were mainly from the United States. In 1846, the first settler arrived by wagon train from Missouri. He settled along the San Antonio River, where he built his home.  

This area became known as “The Cross Roads” because it was located between three major trails: north-west toward Fort Worth, west towards the Rio Grande, and south through Laredo into Mexico.  

A few years later, the town of Alice came about when a group of men decided that they wanted to build a store there. They called their new business “Alice’s Store.” It wasn’t long before many others followed suit, and soon enough, Alice had become relatively prosperous.  

By 1880, the town boasted several hotels, saloons, banks, churches, schools, stores, doctors’ offices, lawyers’ offices, post offices, telegraph lines, telephone lines, newspapers, etc. In 1910, the railroad reached Alice, which brought even greater prosperity.  

During World War I, Alice served as an essential rail hub for troops traveling eastward across the country. After the war ended, the city continued to grow until 1920, when the population hit 10,000 residents.  

Since then, Alice has grown steadily every decade. Presently, Alice boasts over 30 restaurants, bars, motels, gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, clothing shops, and beauty parlours. 

Geography  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has 864.97 square miles, of which 693.95 square miles is land and 171.02 square miles is water. 

The climate in Jim Wells County can be described as hot and dry. Summers average around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winters are milder than most areas of South Central Texas. Rainfall averages approximately 20 inches per year. Most rainfall occurs between May and September.  

No rivers are flowing through the county, but there are numerous creeks and springs.  

Land terrain is flat except for some rolling hills. Elevations range from 200 feet above sea level to almost 4,500 feet.  

Topographical features include mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, streams, swamps, prairies, deserts, marshes, and bogs. Others are ponds, bayous, caves, ravines, cliffs, bluffs, ridges, plateaus, mesas, hilltops, knolls, mounds, dunes, sandbars, beaches, and islands.  

Economy 

There are many oil wells in the county leading to significant economic changes since the 1980s. The majority of jobs today consist of service industries such as retail trade, food services, accommodation & recreation, arts/entertainment, professional/technical services, health care, and construction.  

Agriculture remains a very small part of the local economy. However, agriculture does play a role in the county’s history. Before 1900, cotton farming dominated the landscape. Cotton production declined after 1900 because of the development of better varieties of seedless cotton.  

At present, only 3 percent of the county’s acreage is devoted to crops. Livestock raising continues to play a minor role in the county’s economic base. Although cattle ranching once played a prominent role in the region, modern-day ranchers raise mainly dairy cows. 

Industries provide employment opportunities for people living within the county limits. Some notable companies operating in the county include ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco Corporation, Shell Oil Company, ConocoPhillips, and Marathon Petroleum. 

The government supports entrepreneurship with tax incentives and other programs designed to promote growth. These efforts include grants for businesses, low-interest loans for start-up firms, training help, marketing support, and technical help.   

To encourage tourism, the county offers free admission to its parks and historic sites. Many visitors come to enjoy the natural environment or visit historical landmarks like Mission Concepcion de la Purisima, Mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio and La Casa Blanca. 

Jim Wells towns and Cities 

Since Jim Wells’s economy is thriving, there are over 15 towns in the county. Each town is unique. 

Alice Town – this is the county seat located on FM 544 near I.H. 10. It has an estimated population of 1,000 residents. Alice was founded by James W. “Jimmy” Allen, who came here in 1854.  

Orange Groove – This community is home to one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines in North America. Orange Grove is also known as the place the first commercial flight took place in the United States. 

Premont- Located along U.S. 77 between Corpus Christi and Victoria. Premont is named after John H. Premonte, a pioneer settler.  

Sandia – Sandia is about 30 miles south of Alice Town. There are many old buildings still standing, including the original schoolhouse built-in 1890. 

Alred – Alred is situated just north of Alice Town. Besides having a post office, it has two churches.  

Ben Bolt – This community is located east of Alice Town. Its name comes from Benjamin Bolts, who owned land here before he moved to San Antonio. 

County Offices and Contacts 

• Judge’s Office- It is under Honorable Juan Rodriguez, Jr. Contact the Office at 361-668-5706. 
• Noe Gamez supervises the County Auditor office. Call the Office at 361-668-5701 for your concerns. 
• The County Attorney is Michael Guerra. Call the Office at 361-668-5700 if you have issues you need addressing. 
• The County clerk’s Office is under J.C. Perez, III. Contact the Office at 361-668-5702. 
• County Treasurer is Mark Dominguez. Contact his Office with questions about county funds. Phone: 361-668-5713. 
• Sheriff Danny Bueno takes care of your security. Contact the Office at 361-668-0341.   

Conclusion 

In summary, Jim Wells County is a great place to live because the weather is pleasant year-round; the area is safe, and most importantly, the economy is booming! If you want to move into a beautiful part of Texas, look no further than Jim Wells County.