Baird, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baird, Texas
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Baird Main Street
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Callahan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.73 sq mi (7.06 km2) |
| • Land | 2.66 sq mi (6.88 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,716 ft (523 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,479 |
| • Density | 541.8/sq mi (209.49/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79504
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| Area code(s) | 325 |
| FIPS code | 48-05336 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409771 |
Baird is a city located in Callahan County, Texas, in the United States. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, of Callahan County. In 2020, about 1,479 people lived there.
The city got its name from Matthew Baird. He was an important person who owned and directed the Texas and Pacific Railway. Today, the old railway station is a visitor center and a museum about transportation. Baird is also part of the larger Abilene area.
Contents
Exploring Baird's Location
Baird is in the northern part of Callahan County. A major highway, Interstate 20, runs through the northern side of the city. This highway can take you about 20 miles west to Abilene or 25 miles east to Cisco.
Another important road, U.S. Route 283, goes through the eastern side of Baird. It leads north about 25 miles to Albany and south about 41 miles to Coleman.
The city covers a total area of about 2.7 square miles (7.1 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.07 square miles (0.2 square kilometers), is covered by water.
Baird's Weather
The weather in Baird is usually hot and humid in the summer. Winters are generally mild, meaning not too cold. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Baird's Past: A Look at History
Baird, Texas, was named after Matthew Baird. He was a director of the Texas and Pacific Railway. He also owned a very large company called Baldwin Locomotive Works. This company built many trains in the United States.
The city of Baird officially started in 1880. In 1993, the Texas Legislature (the state's law-making group) called Baird the "Antique Capital of West Texas." This is because the city has many shops, about 12 of them, that sell old and unique items.
An interesting story from Baird's history involves the old Callahan County Jail. It was first in a nearby town called Belle Plain. When Baird became the county seat, the jail was carefully taken apart, brick by brick. Then, it was rebuilt in Baird at its current spot. Belle Plain eventually became a ghost town because most people moved away.
Today, Baird has five churches, four gas stations or convenience stores, and a feed store for animals.
Callahan County Library and Museum
The Callahan County Library began in 1937. It was started by a group called the Baird Wednesday Club. In 1940, a Pioneer Museum was added. Both the library and the museum are located in the basement of the Callahan County Courthouse.
The museum shows many old items from farms and ranches. You can see household goods, clothing, different types of barbed wire, and old documents. It's a great place to learn about the past.
Baird's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 850 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,502 | 76.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,710 | 13.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,902 | 11.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,965 | 3.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,810 | −7.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,821 | 0.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,633 | −10.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,538 | −5.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,696 | 10.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,658 | −2.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,623 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,496 | −7.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,479 | −1.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Baird?
In 2020, there were 1,479 people living in Baird. Most of the people were White (about 80.8%). About 12.9% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background. The rest included people from other races or mixed backgrounds. There were 728 households and 461 families living in the city.
Learning in Baird
The schools in Baird are part of the Baird Independent School District. This school district is located at 600 West 7th Street. Baird ISD is known as a 1A district, which means it is a smaller school district.
Famous People from Baird
- Lou Halsell Rodenberger (1926–2009): She was a Texas author. She spent many of her later years living about 12 miles southeast of Baird, in a small community called Admiral.
See also
In Spanish: Baird para niños
