Bushland, Texas facts for kids
Bushland is a small community in Texas, United States. It's located in parts of Potter and Randall counties. Bushland is considered a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. It's also part of the larger Amarillo area.
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Where is Bushland?
Bushland is found in the Texas Panhandle. It sits along Interstate 40, a major highway. This community is about 14 miles west of the city of Amarillo. It's also quite high up, at an elevation of about 3,825 feet above sea level.
A Special Spot on the Map
Did you know Bushland is a unique spot? It's the halfway point between two very famous cities: Chicago and Los Angeles. It's exactly 1,062 miles from both cities! This was especially important because these two cities were the original ends of the historic U.S. Route 66.
Bushland's History
Bushland started as a station for the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway. It was named after William Henry Bush, who was from Chicago. In 1898, a man named Joseph Glidden (who invented barbed wire) sold his Frying Pan Ranch to Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush was his son-in-law.
How the Town Began
After buying the land, William Bush gave some of it for a new town site. He also gave land for the railroad tracks. On July 3, 1908, the town of Bushland was officially opened by Mr. Bush and his friend S.H. Smiser.
Growing Over Time
Soon, farmers began to settle in Bushland and the areas nearby. A public school system was set up, and a post office opened in January 1909. For many years, the community stayed small, with about 20 people in the 1910s and 1920s. By 1940, the population grew to 175, and there were four businesses. Since then, Bushland's population has generally stayed around 130 people for a long time.
A Local Event
In 2009, Bushland was mentioned in national news. A gas pipeline broke near a local neighborhood called Prairie West. On November 4, 2009, a gas line had a problem. It caused flames to shoot very high into the air. A few residents in the neighborhood were injured. They were taken to a hospital for care.
Who Lives in Bushland?
The number of people living in Bushland has changed over the years. In 2020, the community had 2,234 people. There were 709 households and 672 families living there.
Learning in Bushland
Public education in Bushland is provided by the Bushland Independent School District. This school district has three main schools:
- Bushland Elementary School (for students in pre-kindergarten through 4th grade)
- Bushland Middle School (for students in 5th through 8th grade)
- Bushland High School (for students in 9th through 12th grade)
In 2011, people in Bushland voted to approve money for school improvements. This money helped build additions to the High School. It also helped build a cafeteria for the Middle School. New buses were bought for the school district too.
Bushland's Climate
Bushland has a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry, but not a desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot.
Images for kids
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Bushland Gas Explosion, 2009
