Muleshoe, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Muleshoe, Texas
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City
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Main Street in downtown Muleshoe
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Location of Muleshoe in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Bailey |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.43 sq mi (8.89 km2) |
| • Land | 3.43 sq mi (8.89 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,793 ft (1,156 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,160 |
| • Density | 1,504.37/sq mi (580.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79347
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| Area code | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-49968 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1375067 |
| Website | City Website |
Muleshoe is a city in Bailey County, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1913. This happened when a railway line was built through northern Bailey County. The line connected Farwell to Lubbock.
Muleshoe became an official city in 1926. In 2020, about 5,160 people lived there. It is the main city of Bailey County. Muleshoe is also home to the National Mule Memorial. The Muleshoe Heritage Center shows how important ranching was to West Texas.
Contents
History of Muleshoe
The name Muleshoe comes from Henry Black. He registered a brand with this name in 1860. In 1877, he bought a large area of land in Stephens County. He called it Muleshoe Ranch.
The ranch got its name because the owner supposedly found a mule shoe in the ground. Henry Black built a ranch house and a small school. He also started a cemetery for his family.
Railroad and City Growth
In 1906, two railway companies joined together. They planned to build a railway between Lubbock and Farwell. Many communities helped pay for this railway.
Muleshoe was founded in 1913 when the railway tracks were laid. The town took its name from the nearby Muleshoe Ranch. After the railroad arrived, the town grew very quickly.
In 1917, Muleshoe became the main city, or county seat, of Bailey County. However, it did not become an official city until 1926. By 1930, about 800 people lived in Muleshoe.
The population kept growing. By 1960, it had tripled to 3,871 people. In 1970, Muleshoe reached its largest size with over 5,000 residents. It had many businesses, two hospitals, and two banks. It also had a library, a newspaper, and a radio station.
Recent Changes in Muleshoe
During the 1970s and 1980s, the population stayed about the same. In the 1990s, Muleshoe's population started to get smaller. The number of people went from 5,048 in 1988 to 4,530 in 2000.
Main Street, which used to be very busy, is now quieter. Many buildings there are empty. Most businesses have moved to American Boulevard, which is US Highway 84/70.
The National Mule Memorial
In the early 1960s, people in Texas wanted to honor the mule. Mules were very important to pioneers because they were strong and did not need much food. Mules carried cannons in wars and hauled freight (goods) in peacetime. Their small hooves helped them climb rocky areas.
The Mule Memorial was first shown on July 4, 1965. It is located near the intersection of US 70/84. Muleshoe is also home to the world's largest mule shoe. It is at the Muleshoe Heritage Center.
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Geography of Muleshoe
Muleshoe covers about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the city limits.
The city is located on the South Plains. This area is known as the Llano Estacado.
Climate in Muleshoe
Muleshoe has a semiarid steppe climate. This means it is not as dry as a desert, but not as wet as a humid area. This type of climate is found in many places, from Mexico to Canada.
Muleshoe has hot summer days and cool summer nights. Winter days are cool to warm, but winter nights can be very cold. The town does not get much rain, less than 18 inches (457 mm) each year. Because summer temperatures are high, moisture from rain quickly evaporates.
Muleshoe often has strong winds. In fall and winter, winds come from the north and west. In spring and summer, they come from the south or west. These winds can make winter feel even colder.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 779 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,327 | 70.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,477 | 86.7% | |
| 1960 | 3,871 | 56.3% | |
| 1970 | 4,525 | 16.9% | |
| 1980 | 4,842 | 7.0% | |
| 1990 | 4,571 | −5.6% | |
| 2000 | 4,530 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 5,158 | 13.9% | |
| 2020 | 5,160 | 0.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The city's population was 5,160 people in 2020. This included 1,619 households and 1,071 families.
Most of the people in Muleshoe are of Hispanic or Latino background. There are also many White residents. Smaller groups include Black or African American and Native American people.
In 2010, about 38.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.80 people. The average family had 3.35 people. The median age in the city was 33 years old.
Arts and Culture in Muleshoe
Muleshoe has an annual event called the Tour de Muleshoe. This is a bicycle ride with different routes. Riders can choose from 100K, 40-mile (64 km), and 10-mile (16 km) bike tours.
Some interesting places in Muleshoe include:
- The world's largest mule shoe. It is 22 feet (6.7 meters) long and 17 feet (5.2 meters) wide.
- The national mule memorial, named Ol' Pete. This memorial was even invited to President George W. Bush's first inauguration in 2001.
Parks and Recreation
In 2010, Muleshoe opened a new water park. It cost $1.8 million and is located in New City Park. The park also has many other fun things to do:
- Soccer fields
- Softball fields
- A playground
- A fishing pond
- Basketball courts
Education in Muleshoe
Students in Muleshoe attend schools in the Muleshoe Independent School District. The schools are:
- Muleshoe High School (for grades 9–12)
- Watson Junior High School (for grades 6–8)
- Mary DeShazo Elementary School (for grades 3–5)
- Neal B. Dillman Elementary School (for Pre-Kindergarten–2)
A branch of South Plains College is also in Muleshoe. It offers classes for students who want to become licensed vocational nurses.
Notable People from Muleshoe
Muleshoe has been home to some well-known people:
- Lee Horsley: An actor born in Muleshoe in 1955. He starred in TV shows like Matt Houston and Paradise.
- Lincoln Riley: A former Muleshoe High School quarterback. He is now a successful football coach for the University of Southern California football team.
- Garrett Riley: Lincoln Riley's younger brother. He also played football at Muleshoe High School. He is now an offensive coordinator for Clemson University.
- Allan Weisbecker: A writer and surfer who lived in Muleshoe for a short time.
- Kevin D. Williamson: A writer and pundit who grew up in the Texas Panhandle. He sometimes uses Muleshoe as an example of American culture in his articles.
See also
In Spanish: Muleshoe para niños
