Lefors, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lefors, Texas
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Texas Historical Marker
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Location of Lefors, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Gray |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.39 sq mi (1.01 km2) |
| • Land | 0.39 sq mi (1.01 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,828 ft (862 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 420 |
| • Density | 1,077/sq mi (416/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79054
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| Area code(s) | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-42148 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412888 |
Lefors is a small town in Gray County, Texas, United States. It is part of the wider Pampa area. In 2020, about 420 people lived there.
Contents
History of Lefors
Early Days and Founding
Long ago, the land where Lefors now stands was a favorite spot for Comanche Native American tribes. They were nomadic, meaning they moved around a lot.
Later, in 1852, an explorer named Randolph Marcy passed through this area. In 1872 and 1874, some battles between the U.S. Army and Comanche or Cheyenne tribes happened nearby.
Lefors was officially started in 1888. It was founded by Travis Leach, Perry LeFors, Henry Thut, and Henry B. Lovett. The town was named after Perry LeFors, who worked as a foreman at a large ranch in the area.
Growth and Development
In 1882, Travis Leach, a rancher, built the first home on the future town site. His log cabin was a stop for stagecoaches carrying mail. Other settlers, like Henry B. Lovett and Henry Thut, also moved to the area in the 1880s.
In 1892, Lefors got its own post office, with Henry Thut as the first postmaster. A few years later, a building was built that served as both a school and a church. When Gray County was officially formed in 1902, Lefors became the county seat, which means it was the main town where the county government was located.
Oil Boom and Railroad
During the 1920s, oil was discovered nearby, bringing a big boom to Lefors. This helped the town grow, and it got electricity and other modern services.
By 1931, Lefors became an incorporated town, meaning it had its own local government. In 1932, a railroad line finally reached Lefors, connecting it to other towns. The town's population grew to 809 people by 1940.
Challenges and Changes
Lefors has faced some tough times. In 1938, a severe snowstorm trapped many travelers on the road between Pampa and Lefors. Farmers and oilfield workers had to rescue them.
Later, in 1961, the town experienced a flood. In 1964, some local factories closed, causing job losses. A tornado also hit the town in 1975.
Geography of Lefors
Lefors covers about 1.01 square kilometers (0.39 square miles) of land. It is located on the North Fork of the Red River. The town is about 12 miles southeast of Pampa, along State Highway 273.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 952 | — | |
| 1940 | 809 | −15.0% | |
| 1950 | 577 | −28.7% | |
| 1960 | 864 | 49.7% | |
| 1970 | 816 | −5.6% | |
| 1980 | 829 | 1.6% | |
| 1990 | 656 | −20.9% | |
| 2000 | 559 | −14.8% | |
| 2010 | 497 | −11.1% | |
| 2020 | 420 | −15.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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As of 2020, 420 people lived in Lefors. Most residents were White (95.17%), with smaller percentages of other races. About 4.03% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The town has 231 homes. About 32.5% of these homes had children under 18 living in them. The average household had about 2.42 people.
The median age in Lefors was 38 years old. About 27.2% of the population was under 18, and 19.1% was 65 or older.
Education in Lefors
The Lefors Independent School District serves the town. This school district teaches students from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.
The school has been working to improve its facilities. They have renovated the auditorium and old gymnasium. They also updated the secondary building and the track.
Lefors ISD offers many sports, including six-man football, tennis, golf, basketball, cross country, and track and field. They also have academic competitions.
The school is bringing more technology to students. They now have one laptop for every student in the secondary building. Elementary school children also have access to tablets.
Lefors ISD usually has about 170 students each school year. Many students transfer to Lefors from the nearby town of Pampa.
Climate
Lefors has a semiarid climate. This means it is generally dry, but not as dry as a desert.
See also
In Spanish: Lefors (Texas) para niños
