Groom, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Groom, Texas
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The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ In Groom, Texas
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Location of Groom, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Carson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.74 sq mi (1.93 km2) |
| • Land | 0.74 sq mi (1.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,251 ft (991 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 552 |
| • Density | 746/sq mi (286.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79039
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| Area code(s) | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-31292 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412711 |
Groom is a small town in Carson County, Texas, United States. In 2020, about 552 people lived there. It is part of the larger Amarillo, Texas area.
Groom is located right on Interstate 40, which is also part of the famous Historic Route 66. It is about 42 miles (68 km) east of Amarillo.
Contents
Where is Groom, Texas?
Groom is in the southeast part of Carson County. Interstate 40 goes around the north side of the town. The historic Route 66 (also called Business Route 40) runs through the center of Groom.
The town covers a total area of about 0.74 square miles (1.93 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Who Lives in Groom?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 564 | — | |
| 1940 | 475 | −15.8% | |
| 1950 | 678 | 42.7% | |
| 1960 | 679 | 0.1% | |
| 1970 | 808 | 19.0% | |
| 1980 | 736 | −8.9% | |
| 1990 | 613 | −16.7% | |
| 2000 | 587 | −4.2% | |
| 2010 | 574 | −2.2% | |
| 2020 | 552 | −3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 587 people living in Groom. There were 240 households, which are groups of people living together. Most households (63.3%) were married couples.
About 31.3% of households had children under 18 years old. The average age of people in Groom was 40 years old. About 20.8% of the population was 65 years or older.
The average income for a household in Groom was about $31,705. About 13.2% of the people in Groom lived below the poverty line.
What are Groom's Famous Landmarks?
Groom is known for two very large and interesting landmarks that you can see from the highway.
The Giant Cross
One of the most famous sights is a huge 19-story cross. It was built by The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries. This cross is 190 feet (58 meters) tall and can be seen from 20 miles (32 km) away! It took eight months to build.
Around the base of the cross, you can see life-sized statues. These statues show the 14 Stations of the Cross, which are important scenes from the story of Jesus. There is also a visitor center and a gift shop nearby.
While this cross is very tall, it is not the tallest in the world. For example, the cross at the Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida, is 208 feet (63 meters) tall.
The Leaning Water Tower
Another fun landmark in Groom is a leaning water tower. People sometimes call it "The Leaning Tower of Texas" or "The Leaning Tower of Britten." It looks like it's about to fall over!
This water tower used to hold water, but now it's just a decoration and a roadside attraction. A man named Ralph Britten bought it and moved it to be a sign for his truck stop. The truck stop is now closed, but the leaning tower is still there.
The leaning water tower is a popular spot for photos. Around Christmas, the town puts a big colored star on top of it. It's a common sight in books about Route 66.
Education in Groom
Students in Groom attend schools that are part of the Groom Independent School District.
A Brief History of Groom
Early Exploration and Cattle Ranches
The area around Groom was first explored around 1849. Captain Randolph Barnes Marcy mapped a route from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. His maps helped many travelers heading west.
Later, in 1882, a cattleman named Colonel B. B. Groom leased a huge amount of land in the Texas Panhandle. He wanted to create a very large cattle ranch. However, his company faced problems and a new company, White Deer Lands, took over.
How the Town of Groom Started
The town of Groom was officially started in 1902. Its location was chosen because it was along the route of the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway. Groom was first made an official town in 1911.
Notable People from Groom
- Leland Chapman, a TV personality known as a bounty hunter.
- Steve Haskins, a professional golfer.
See also
In Spanish: Groom (Texas) para niños
