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Lamesa, Texas facts for kids

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"Lamesa" redirects here. For similar uses, see La Mesa.
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Lamesa, Texas
City
Lamesa City Hall
Lamesa City Hall
Motto(s): 
Together, Progress with a Purpose
Location of Lamesa, Texas
Location of Lamesa, Texas
Dawson County Lamesa.svg
Country United States
State Texas
County Dawson
Area
 • Total 5.14 sq mi (13.31 km2)
 • Land 5.11 sq mi (13.23 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
2,992 ft (912 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 8,674
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
79331
Area code(s) 806
FIPS code 48-41164
GNIS feature ID 1339590

Lamesa is a city in Texas, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Dawson County. In 2020, about 8,674 people lived there.

Lamesa is located south of Lubbock on a high, flat area called the Llano Estacado. The city was started in 1903. Its economy mostly depends on cotton farming. There is also a prison unit nearby, named after former Texas Governor Preston E. Smith.

Geography of Lamesa

Lamesa is right in the middle of Dawson County. Several major roads pass through or near the city. U.S. Highway 87 goes through the eastern part of Lamesa. It can take you north to Lubbock (about 61 miles) or southeast to Big Spring (about 44 miles).

U.S. Highway 180 runs through the center of Lamesa. This road goes west to Seminole (about 41 miles) and east to Snyder (about 62 miles). Other state highways also connect Lamesa to nearby towns.

The city covers an area of about 5.14 square miles (13.31 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area is water.

People of Lamesa

The number of people living in Lamesa has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:

  • 1920: 1,188 people
  • 1930: 3,528 people
  • 1940: 6,038 people
  • 1950: 10,704 people
  • 1960: 12,438 people
  • 1970: 11,559 people
  • 1980: 11,790 people
  • 1990: 10,809 people
  • 2000: 9,952 people
  • 2010: 9,422 people
  • 2020: 8,674 people

Who Lives in Lamesa?

In 2020, there were 8,674 people living in Lamesa. Most people in Lamesa are of Hispanic or Latino background, making up about 62.90% of the population. White people (not Hispanic) make up about 31.32%. Other groups like Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and people of mixed races also live in Lamesa.

The average income for a family in Lamesa was about $36,904. About 29.4% of the people in Lamesa were living below the poverty line.

Famous People from Lamesa

Many interesting people have connections to Lamesa:

  • Barry Corbin – An actor you might have seen in movies or TV shows.
  • Steve Freeman – A former Buffalo Bills football player and an NFL referee.
  • V. O. Key, Jr. – A well-known political scientist.
  • Lynn Morris – A talented bluegrass musician.
  • Steve Pearce – A former U.S. Representative from New Mexico.
  • Bo Robinson – An NFL football player.
  • Preston Smith – He used to be the Governor of Texas.
  • Jerry Taff – A journalist.
  • Don Walser – A country musician.

Schools in Lamesa

Lamesa has its own school system called the Lamesa Independent School District. This district includes Lamesa High School and Lamesa Middle School. Their sports teams are called the Golden Tornadoes.

You can also find a branch of Howard College in Lamesa. This is a community college that helps students get ready for jobs or for a four-year university.

Culture and Fun in Lamesa

Lamesa has some unique traditions and places:

Chicken Fried Steak Festival

Every year, during the last weekend of April, Lamesa hosts the Chicken Fried Steak Festival. Lamesa is sometimes called "the birthplace of the chicken-fried steak." Even though this claim might have started as a joke, the Governor of Texas officially declared Lamesa the home of the chicken-fried steak in 2011! This festival is a big community event with many sponsors and booths.

Sky-Vue Drive-In Theater

The Sky-Vue Drive-In Theater opened in 1948 and was a very popular spot in the area. It was famous for its "Chihuahua sandwich." Sadly, it closed in 2015 after a fire. Before he became famous, musician Buddy Holly even performed on the roof of the Sky-Vue's projector building! The theater was also featured on a country music album by Don Walser. Lamesa also has an indoor movie theater called Movieland with two screens.

The Wall

On S 2nd Street, there's a special brick wall called "The Wall." Each year, students graduating from Lamesa High School paint their names on it. The new graduating class adds their names right on top of the old ones, creating a unique tradition.

Lamesa in TV Shows

The famous CBS television series Dallas once featured Lamesa. In the show, one of the main characters, J. R. Ewing, had a very profitable oil well in Lamesa. There was even a dramatic scene where he flew to the Lamesa airport!

Dal Paso Museum

The Dal Paso Museum is located in downtown Lamesa, inside an old hotel. It's a place where you can see many local historical items. The museum shows how people used to live, with old home furnishings, tools used by pioneers, and farm equipment. It also displays art from local artists. The museum is at 306 South First Street and is open to the public during limited afternoon hours.

News and Radio in Lamesa

Lamesa has its own local newspaper, The Lamesa Press Reporter, which comes out twice a week. There's also a local radio station, KPET (AM 690). It broadcasts local news, call-in shows, country music, and sports games for the Golden Tornadoes, the Red Raiders, and the Texas Rangers. Other radio stations include KBKN (FM) and KVLM (FM). You can also watch TV channels from nearby cities like Lubbock and Midland-Odessa.

Climate in Lamesa

Lamesa has a semiarid climate, which means it's usually dry. Summers are very hot, often reaching over 100°F (38°C). Winter nights can be cold, with temperatures going below freezing about 91 nights a year. The average yearly temperature is about 61.4°F (16.3°C). Lamesa gets about 17.6 inches (45 cm) of rain and about 4 inches (10 cm) of snow each year.

Images for kids

  • Lamesa, TX, water tower IMG 1466

    Lamesa water tower

  • Lamesa street 02

    A view of downtown Lamesa

  • Dal Paseo 07-03-2008 10;28;54PM

    Entrance to Dal Paso Museum in Lamesa, located in a former hotel

  • Howard College, Lamesa, TX, campus IMG 1490

    Lamesa campus of Howard College, a community college based in Big Spring

  • Sky Vue Drive-in Theater, Lamesa, TX IMG 1463

    The Sky-Vue Drive-in Theater in Lamesa operated from 1948 until its concession stand burned in November 2015 and the facility closed for further business.

  • Tower Theater, Lamesa, TX IMG 1477

    No longer in use, the Tower Theater is located in downtown Lamesa across from the Dawson County Courthouse.

  • Lamesa Press Reporter office IMG 1478

    Lamesa Press Reporter newspaper office

  • First Baptist Church of Lamesa, TX IMG 1481

    First Baptist Church of Lamesa at 801 S 1st St.

  • Dawson County, TX, Courthouse IMG 1472

    Dawson County Courthouse in downtown Lamesa

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lamesa (Texas) para niños

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