Pleasant Valley, Potter County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pleasant Valley, Texas
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Historical unincorporated community
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 Pleasant Valley, Potter County, Texas
Location in Texas
Pleasant Valley, Potter County, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Potter |
| Elevation | 3,511 ft (1,070 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1365449 |
Pleasant Valley was a small, quiet community in Potter County, Texas. It was not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it was an unincorporated community. This means it was a group of homes and possibly businesses that were not officially part of any city. Today, much of what was Pleasant Valley is now part of the larger city of Amarillo.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live close together, but it doesn't have its own official city government. It's different from a city or town. Cities have mayors, city councils, and their own police and fire departments.
How They Are Governed
Unincorporated communities are usually governed by the county they are in. For Pleasant Valley, this was Potter County. The county government provides services like roads, law enforcement, and sometimes even water or trash collection.
Why Some Places Stay Unincorporated
Sometimes, communities stay unincorporated because they are very small. They might not need or want the services of a full city government. Other times, they might be waiting to be included into a nearby city.
Where Was Pleasant Valley Located?
Pleasant Valley was situated in Potter County, Texas. This county is in the northern part of Texas, an area known as the Texas Panhandle. The Panhandle gets its name because it looks like the handle of a pan on a map.
Close to Amarillo
The community was very close to Amarillo, one of the biggest cities in the Texas Panhandle. Being near a larger city often means that smaller communities eventually grow and become part of that city.
Becoming Part of Amarillo
Over time, as cities grow, they often expand their borders. This process is called annexation. When a city annexes an area, that area officially becomes part of the city. The people living there then become city residents.
Why Cities Annex Areas
Cities annex nearby areas for several reasons. It can help the city grow its population and tax base. It also allows the city to provide services like water, sewer, and police protection to more people. For the residents, it can mean better services.
Pleasant Valley's Transition
Pleasant Valley was eventually annexed by Amarillo. This means that the land and homes that were once "Pleasant Valley" are now officially within Amarillo's city limits. While the name "Pleasant Valley" might still be used by some, it no longer refers to a separate community. It's now a historical place name within Amarillo.
