Swisher

Swisher County

Updated on: January 14, 2022
Coordinates
34 31' 48" N, 101 43' 48" W (34.53, -101.73)
State
Texas
Region
Panhandle
County Seat:
Tulia
Year Organized:
1876
Total Square Miles:
900.691
890 square miles (2,300 km2) land
11 square miles (28 km2) water
Population:
7515 (2017)
Population: Est. 7,466 (2016) 7,854 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
8
Swisher County Website
http://www.co.swisher.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Randall (N)
Armstrong (NE)
Briscoe (E)
Floyd (SE)
Hale (S)
Castro (W)

Swisher County Town List

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Commisioners Court
Size of Legislative Body:
5

Demographics

2018 Population:
7515
25 to 64 Years of Age:
47.59%
65 Years of Age and Older:
17.68%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$515.4 M
Labor Force:
2,684
Unemployment Rate:
4.30%

County Contact

119 S Maxwell Ave
County Courthouse
Tulia, TX, 79088-2239

http://www.co.swisher.tx.us

The Texas legislature established Swisher County in 1876. The Young and Bexar districts were merged at the time. In 1880, Tulia was officially designated as the county seat. The Tule Ranch was part of the JA Ranch, which Charles Goodnight established in 1883. The area was primarily undeveloped up until that point.

Swisher County was named after James Gibson Swisher, a Texas soldier during the Revolutionary War, and held for ransom. Stunning sunsets, brilliant sunrises, and stunning harvest moons abound in Swisher County of endless blue skies. From this vantage point, you can savor the sky’s splendor, including sunsets, sunrises, and harvest moons. The horizon looks endless. The flat and windswept environment has its appeal.

In the quest for gold’s mythical city, Coronado led his Spanish troops through the region, although the country’s first occupants were buffaloes and Native Americans. They may have thought they found what they were looking for when they stumbled to Tule Canyon.

County Offices

Harold Keeter is the county judge, and the address to the office is 119 South Maxwell, Tulia, TX 79088. As the head of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Judge Harold significantly affects the county’s operations and policies. The phone is 806-995-3504 or Fax: 806-995-2214.

A county attorney in Texas hires people to perform the following duties: In addition to civil enforcement processes on behalf of the state or county, the office provides legal assistance to elected officials and the Commissioners Court. J. Michael Criswell is the county attorney, and the address to the office is 119 South Maxwell Tulia, TX 79088. Alternatively, you may reach out via phone at 806-995-3505 or Fax: 806-995-1525.

The county commissioners’ duties are wide-ranging. A county commissioner is a member of the county government who is in charge of rules impacting the county’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Precinct 1 Commissioner is Lloyd Rahlfs, Danny Morgan heads Precinct 2, Joe Murrell is the commissioner of Precinct 3, and Joe Murrell leads Precinct 3. The address to the office is 119 South Maxwell, Tulia, TX 79088.

The sheriff brings convicts from throughout the country to local courts, transports juvenile offenders and mental health patients around the state of Texas, and collects abandoned animals in the county as part of their duties. The county commissioner’s court supports the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Jim McCaslin’s address is 136 East Broadway, Tulia, TX 79088. You may also reach out via phone at 806-995-3326 or Fax: 806-995-3367.

Justice of the Peace courts also presides over class C misdemeanor criminal cases submitted to them by numerous state and municipal bodies with the jurisdiction to issue citations. Sharla Miller is the Justice of the Peace, and the physical address is 310 West Broadway, Tulia, TX 79088.

Swisher County Topography

Swisher County is located on the South Plains and the Panhandle border. To the east is Briscoe county; to the south is Hale county; to the west lies Castro, while Randall and Armstrong Counties are north.

Local latitude and longitude coordinates for the county’s geographic heart are 34°33′ N and 100°47′ W, respectively. Compared to the county’s seat of Tulia from Lubbock, Lubbock is 75 miles south of the latter.

896 square miles of flat land make up Swisher County. Several little streams merge in the county’s eastern section to form Tule Creek, which has minimal effect on the landscape. North Tule Draw was dammed in the 1940s to create a tiny reservoir. The Tule Creek Dam, which would eventually lead to the creation of Mackenzie Reservoir, was completed in 1974. Additionally, this lake has gained a reputation as a renowned destination for fishing and water sports enthusiasts.

Wet, humus-rich soils in Swisher County make it simple to grow alluvial silt and sandy areas. The native grasses cover much of the soil here. In addition to wheat and maize, cotton is grown here.

The county’s elevation ranges from 3000 to 3,600 feet. There is an average rainfall of 18.94 inches annually and a growing season of around 205 days per year. The average temperature at the beginning of each year is 24 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature in July is 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Tulia experienced the coldest day in Texas on February 12, 1899. The temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit at the time.

Places To Visit

Swisher County Museum

The Swisher County Museum includes various ranch and agricultural antiques. By investigating these rare artifacts dating back more than a century, we may acquire insight into the hardships that defined our community.

Additionally, a view of the area’s way of life hundreds of years ago is on exhibit, including the rise of the local economy and advancements in agriculture, education, and medicine. A five-bedroom home in the early 1900s was created and outfitted with historical antiques within the main display hall. As a consequence, it is in like-new condition.

The central display hall features a recreation blacksmith shop outfitted with tools and equipment utilized by J.O. Bass. Additionally, Quanah Parker and Col. Ronald Mackenzie relics are also on display. The museum includes military equipment and handicrafts with the Santa Fe Railroad and Native American antiques. The county’s written, oral, and audiovisual history are preserved, as is an extraordinary collection of early images. Outside, the 1917 Jowell House is furnished with items from the 1930s and preceding eras.

Kenneth Wyatt Galleries

For the last four decades, Ken Wyatt has fought for the right to paint. Throughout his career, he has produced almost 8,000 pieces of art. A natural talent for drawing and painting was instilled in him early. When he was a kid, he often drew pictures of horses and other animals to include in his schoolwork.

Everyone can access Kenneth’s writings. These items can be found in various places, from offices to homes to museums. Farmers, monarchs, bankers, and performers all have their own private collections of these artifacts. Nearly every country has at least one of them.

Parks

There are numerous parks in Swisher County, including Conner park, Donley park, Mackenzie Park, Headstart park, and Circle Park. Recreational opportunities abound in the parks, with large outdoor pavilions, children’s playgrounds, softball fields, hiking trails, and basketball courts, among their many amenities.

Towns in Swisher County

Kress

Kress, TX had been known as “Wright” in honor of a well-known local rancher and preacher by this name. In the 1950s, it was renamed Kress. Canyon and Plainview were only a few miles apart by stage route. The town lies on latitude 34°21’54 “N and longitude 101°44’53 “W.

It lies 12 miles offSwisher’s county seat, Tulia, and approximately 71 miles off Amarillo. 79052 is the ZIP code, while the area code is 806. A post office and general store were also found within the building. The Pecos and Northern Texas Railway came through town in 1906.

Tulia

Commerce and geography thrive in Tulia’s central location, which serves as the county’s administrative center. Cotton, grain sorghums and wheat, dairy products, alfalfa, and other items are sold and shipped by the corporation.

At depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet, Swisher County’s “true freestone” water source has no alkali, gypsum, or lime. The South Plains is littered with areas of “shallow water.” Tulia is the name given to Tulia since the Middle Tule Creek flows through it. It was renamed “Tulia” from “Tule” after the state government officially recognized the town.