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Sonora, Texas facts for kids

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Sonora, Texas
Sonora entrance sign
Sonora entrance sign
Nickname(s): 
"Home of the Caverns of Sonora"
Location in the state of Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Sutton County Sonora.svg
Country United States
State Texas
County Sutton
Area
 • Total 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2)
 • Land 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
2,129 ft (649 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,502
 • Density 1,127.0/sq mi (435.1/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
76950
Area code(s) Area code 325
FIPS code 48-68756
GNIS feature ID 1368606
Website City of Sonora
Sonora Bank, TX DSCN0931
Sonora Bank at 102 E. Main St. in Sonora
First Methodist Church, Sonora, TX IMG 1371
First Methodist Church of Sonora
Presbyterian Church, Sonora, TX IMG 1374
Presbyterian Church of the Good Shepherd in Sonora
First Baptist Church, Sonora, TX IMG 1378
First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Sonora is named for J. C. Hancock, a pastor from 1968 to 1983.

Sonora is a city in Texas, United States. It is the main town of Sutton County. In 2020, about 2,502 people lived there.

Geography and Climate in Sonora

Sutton County courthouse May 2020
The Sutton County Courthouse sits on a hill overlooking Sonora.
Sonora, TX, City Hall IMG 1361
Sonora City Hall
Downtown Sonora, TX IMG 1376
A view of the eastern side of downtown Sonora.

Sonora is located at 30°34′5″N 100°38′39″W / 30.56806°N 100.64417°W / 30.56806; -100.64417. It covers about 2.0 square miles (5.1 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.

Land and Plants

The area around Sonora is part of the western Texas Hill Country. This region has many limestone rocks and rolling hills. You can see live oak trees and juniper trees here. These trees grow in woodlands or open grassy areas. You will also find different types of grasses, shrubs, and cacti.

Weather in Sonora

Sonora has a climate that is mostly warm and humid. However, it can also have long dry periods. This is because deserts and dry grasslands are nearby to the west. The city's location on higher ground helps it get more clouds and rain. This happens when moisture from the Gulf of Mexico meets weather fronts.

Thunderstorms with heavy rain are most common in spring and fall. In winter, you might see lighter rain and low clouds. This is often due to weather systems coming from the north.

Summers in Sonora are long and hot. They often have high humidity, but a good breeze can make it feel cooler. The weather from fall through spring is usually very pleasant. Winters can have short periods of cold or cloudy days.

Population of Sonora

The population of Sonora has changed over the years. In 1920, there were just over 1,000 people. The population grew to over 3,000 in 2010. By 2020, it was 2,502 people.

Education in Sonora

The Sonora Independent School District serves the city of Sonora. The schools in Sonora have a strong history of success. This includes both academics and sports.

Sonora High School Sports

The Sonora High School Broncos football team is very successful. They have won five state championships in their division (2A). Their most recent win was in 2000 against the Blanco Panthers. Jason Herring coached the team that won in 2000. He later won another championship with a different team in 2011.

History of Sonora

An interesting event happened in Sonora on April 2, 1901. William Carver was a member of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. He was involved in a conflict at Jack Owen's Bakery. Sheriff E.S. Briant and his deputies were trying to arrest Carver. During this event, Carver was shot and died.

Famous People from Sonora

  • Dan Blocker: He played "Hoss" on the TV show Bonanza. Before acting, he was an English and drama teacher in Sonora.
  • Bill Ratliff: He was a State Senator and Lieutenant Governor of Mount Pleasant. He grew up in Sonora and finished high school there.
  • Jack Taylor: He was a mayor of Mesa, Arizona. He also served in the Arizona State Legislature. He was born in Sonora in 1907.

Fun Places to Visit in Sonora

Sonora has several interesting places to explore:

  • Caverns of Sonora: These amazing caves are about eight miles west of the city.
  • Eaton Hill Nature Center: This center has exhibits and over three miles of hiking trails. It's a great place to learn about nature.
  • Miers House Museum: This is a restored Victorian home from the 1890s. You can see what homes were like long ago.
  • Old Sonora Ice House Ranch Museum: This museum shares the story of Will Carver and the area's history.

See also

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

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