Stephens

Stephens County

Updated on: January 12, 2022
Coordinates
32° 44' 24" N, 98° 50' 24" (W 32.74, -98.84)
State
Texas
Region
North Central
County Seat:
Breckenridge
Year Organized:
1858
Total Square Miles:
921.481
Population:
9337 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
10
Stephens County Website
http://www.co.stephens.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Young (N)
Palo Pinto (E)
Eastland (S)
Shackelford (W)
Throckmorton (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
9337
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.48%
65 Years of Age and Older:
19.76%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$544.7 M
Labor Force:
3,987
Unemployment Rate:
3.60%

County Contact

200 W Walker St
County Courthouse
Breckenridge, TX, 76424-3554

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

Young and Throckmorton counties border Stephens County to the North; Palo Pinto and Eastland counties lie to the South; Shackelford and Young’s counties lie to the West. A 65-mile drive from Abilene takes you to the center of the County, which is located at latitude 32°45′ N, longitude 98°50′ W. Breckenridge is the county seat. 

The County was previously known as Buchanan county, an honor after serving President James Buchanan of the United States but later renamed as a tribute to Alexander H. Stephens in 1861 after he served as the Vice President of the US. 

Topography 

There are reddish, clayey, or mottled subsurface types buried beneath the high plateau terrain covering most of the County’s 922 square miles. Rivers such as the Clear Fork and numerous others meander through the region.   

Several mountainous peaks are in the region. More notable Mountains include Gunsight Mountain, Double Mountain, and Evans Peak. The ground is covered in a highly wooded area providing broomweed and milkweed. There are 26.4 inches of rain in a year in this location. As of July, the month’s average temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) compared to January’s 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The growth season has 222 days of daylight. 

The agricultural industry in the 1980s generated annual revenue of $12.5 million on average. Pig, sheep, and horse meat contributed significantly to the total amount made from meat sales in the United States in 2015. In the area, crops like wheat, oat, peanuts, and sorghum were grown in 1982 saw a total of $9.7 million exported by the County from mobile homes, furnishings, and aviation components to petrochemical products and oilfield equipment. US 180, US 183, and State Highway 67 are the main highways that connect the West and east.  

Economic Activity  

The oil and other sectors remained at the heart of the region’s economy. During the years 1956 and 1965, the plant produced 3,427,000 barrels. Production peaked in 1978 at 3,913,000 barrels but jumped to over 4,987,000 barrels in 1982 to break the previous record for the most ever made. Since it was discovered in 1916, the County had sold 286,548,000 barrels of oil as of January 1, 1991.  

The oil sector, manufacturing, outdoor leisure, and farming played essential roles in supporting the region’s diverse economy in the 1990s. According to the 2014 census, the population of the County was 9,405 people. Only a small number of African-Americans lived in the city, which was overwhelmingly white. With a population of 5,581, the town of Breckenridge is the County’s capital. Caddo, Crystal Falls, Eolian, Gunsight, Necessity, and Wayland are just a few other notable locations.  

County Offices 

The County judge is in charge of a five-member commissioners court and has fiscal and administrative control over county administration. Judge Michael Roach is the County Judge, and the address to the office is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. You may reach out to the office through phone at 254-559-2190 or fax at 254-559-7296.   

The commissioner’s court oversees the county government’s financial and policymaking functions. The precinct one commissioner is David Fambro, and the address to the office is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Precinct 2 is commissioned by Mark McCullough, and the address to the office is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Alternatively, you may reach out via phone at 254-559-2371 or Fax: 254-559-7296.  

William H. Warren is Precinct’s 3 commissioner, and the physical address is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Through phone, at 254-559-2371 or Fax: 254-559-7296. Precinct 4 commissioner is Eric O’Dell, and the physical address is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. You may get in touch via phone at 254-559-2371 or Fax: 254-559-7296.  

As county attorney, you are responsible for defending the state’s interests, the injustice of the peace, and county-related litigation. Gary Trammel is the County Attorney and is available via phone at 254-559-9091 or fax at 254-559-5823. The physical address is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424.   

The constable can serve legal documents within their home county and any adjoining counties. There is a legal right to do authenticated records from Texas and other jurisdictions. Wayne McMullen is Stephen’s county constable, and the address to the office is Stephens County Courthouse, 200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Phone: 254-559-5322. Fax: 254-559-1127 

In counties without such a board, a county sheriff is responsible for enforcing state law, administering the county jail, providing security for courts, serving court documents, and regulating bail bond agents. Kevin Roach is the county sheriff, and you may get in touch with the office via Phone: 254-559-2481, Fax: 254-559-2882, or Jail: 254-559-2705. The physical address to the office is Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, 210 East Dyer, Breckenridge, TX 76424.  

Tourist Attraction 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center 

Has a zebra ever peeked his head out of your car window? Do you like to feed giraffes? Visitors to Glen Rose, Texas, and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center will have the opportunity to observe a diverse array of exotic animals while creating lifelong memories. 

Fossil Rim is a 1,800-acre park that allows free grazing of 1,100 rare and endangered species in their native habitats. For decades, Fossil Rim was a breeding place for exotic species, but it has shifted its attention to endangered species protection. There are numerous new animals born in the preserve due to the staff’s excellent breeding efforts. 

Fort Griffin State Historical Park 

In the western United States, forts functioned as strongholds for the indigenous people. Fort Griffin was one of these. Part of the Fort Griffin State Historic Site has been conserved. There is much more to the area than the official Texas Longhorn Herd. Fishing, hiking, stargazing, and living history are just a few of the additional activities offered at the location. 

At least one hand-dug well and a mess hall, as well as the first sergeant’s quarters, remain in place. Each of these things has a deep connection to Texas history, and they were all constructed in the exact location. Visitors can relax in the shade of the enormous trees and enjoy the playground. Catfishing in the Brazos River and hiking on nature trails leading to the campground are options.  

Fort Griffin suffers from comparatively little light pollution due to the neighboring large ranches. As a result of Fort Griffin’s monthly stargazing programs, the area has been transformed into an astronomer’s paradise, complete with a clear sky ideal for observing constellations, planets, and galaxies equally.  

Fort Griffin has been conserved as a National Register of Historic Places site and an archeological landmark.   

Possum Kingdom State Park  

The First State Bank was built in 1920 by renowned Texan architect Henry T. Phelps and was the state’s first of its kind. There is currently a home for the Eastland County Museum, which serves as a resource for local history enthusiasts.  

There are numerous County and touring exhibits on the Museum’s main level. On the mezzanine, visible from the main floor, is exhibit space. It can also be used for lectures and other types of events. Designed initially as second-floor offices, the dark woods, and patterned glass will remain. These exhibits will highlight Eastland County cities like Carbon, Cisco, Desdemona, Gorman, and Morton Valley.