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 | 1,719 ft (524 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 and the county seat of Callahan County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,479 at the 2020 census. The city is named after Matthew Baird, the owner and director of the Texas and Pacific Railway. The railway depot is now operated as the visitor center and a transportation museum.
Baird is part of the Abilene, Texas metropolitan statistical area.
Contents
Geography
Baird is located in north-central Callahan County. Interstate 20 passes through the northern part of the city, leading west 20 miles (32 km) to Abilene and east 25 miles (40 km) to Cisco. U.S. Route 283 crosses the eastern side of town, leading north 25 miles (40 km) to Albany and south 41 miles (66 km) to Coleman.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.1 km2), of which 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 2.55%, is covered by water.
History
Baird, Texas was named after Matthew Baird, a director of the Texas and Pacific Railway. He was also sole proprietor of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the largest locomotive firm in the United States, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The city was officially founded in 1880. In 1993, the Texas Legislature designated Baird as the "Antique Capital of West Texas". It has 12 antique shops.
The former Callahan County Jail, at 100 W. 5th Street, was originally located in nearby Belle Plain, then the county seat. When the county seat moved to Baird, the jail was disassembled brick by brick, and reassembled at its current location. Belle Plain lost population and became a ghost town.
The town has five churches, four gas stations/convenience stores, and a feed store. The small locally-owned grocery store is now closed.
Library
The Callahan County Library was started in 1937 by the Baird Wednesday Club. The Pioneer Museum was added in 1940. Both are located on the basement floor of the Callahan County Courthouse. The museum features farm and ranch implements, household items, clothing, barbed wire, and documents.
Demographics
| 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 | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,195 | 80.8% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 5 | 0.34% |
| Asian (NH) | 10 | 0.68% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 1 | 0.07% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 77 | 5.21% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 191 | 12.91% |
| Total | 1,479 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,479 people, 728 households, and 461 families residing in the city.
Education
The City of Baird is served by the Baird Independent School District, located at 600 West 7th Street. Baird ISD is classified as a 1A district.
Notable person
- Lou Halsell Rodenberger (1926–2009), Texas author who lived much of her later years 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Baird, in the small community of Admiral
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Baird has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.
See also
In Spanish: Baird para niños
