Sweetwater, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sweetwater, Texas
|
||
|---|---|---|
Municipal building north of the Nolan County Courthouse.
|
||
|
||
| Motto(s):
"Life Is Sweet In Texas"
|
||
Location of Sweetwater
|
||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Texas | |
| County | Nolan | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 11.07 sq mi (28.68 km2) | |
| • Land | 11.07 sq mi (28.68 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,175 ft (663 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 10,622 | |
| • Density | 959.5/sq mi (370.36/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
79556
|
|
| Area code | 325 | |
| FIPS code | 48-71540 | |
| GNIS ID | 2412023 | |
Sweetwater is a city in Nolan County, Texas, United States. It is the main city, or county seat, of Nolan County. Sweetwater is about 123 miles southeast of Lubbock and 40 miles west of Abilene. In 2020, about 10,622 people lived there.
Contents
History of Sweetwater
The name "Sweetwater" is an English translation of the Kiowa language word "Mobeetie".
Early Growth and Railroads
Sweetwater got its first U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway arrived on March 12, 1881. This event started Sweetwater's long history as a railroad town. To help the railroads, Sweetwater built City Lake in 1898. This lake is now called Newman Park. Three more lakes were built later to increase the water supply.
Construction began on the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway in 1903. By 1912, the Santa Fe Railway also served Sweetwater. Businesses and homes were built along the new rail lines. Passenger train service by the Texas and Pacific Railway stopped in 1969.
Industries and Economy
A Gulf Refinery operated in Sweetwater from 1929 to 1954. At one time, the town was also a big center for telegraph messages. The International Harvester Company had a factory in Sweetwater from 1920 to 1950.
From the 1970s, nearly 250 businesses operated in Sweetwater. These included gypsum plants, clothing makers, cement plants, and cotton companies. Many of these businesses are still open today. Sweetwater continues to be a hub for products like cotton, oil, and cattle. The number of people living in Sweetwater has stayed between 11,000 and 13,000 since 1940.
Sweetwater During World War II
During World War II, Sweetwater played an important role. British RAF pilots were trained here. Later, the airfield was used to train American women pilots. These women were part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). They were trained by the famous aviator Jacqueline Cochran at Sweetwater's Avenger Field. The WASPs were the first women to fly American military aircraft. The military airfield closed when the war ended.
Pilots can still land at Avenger Field today. It is now the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The National WASP WWII Museum is also located at Avenger Field. The WASP women were not officially recognized as military veterans until 1977. This happened after efforts by U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater and Colonel Bruce Arnold. In 1970, the field was developed for Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater.
Local Attractions and Community Life
Sweetwater has a Pioneer Museum. It shows how early settlers lived. The museum has many old photographs, farm tools, and Native American artifacts. It also has exhibits about the WASP pilots.
The local newspaper, Sweetwater Reporter, started in 1911. An old stage theater from the early 1900s has been restored and is now fully used. The Municipal Auditorium still hosts live shows. Elvis Presley performed there twice in 1955. Sweetwater's Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital opened in 1976.
For sports, Sweetwater has a large public swimming pool. There is also an 18-hole golf course that opened in 1958. You can go fishing and enjoy other fun activities at Lake Sweetwater. First Baptist Church was one of the first churches in Sweetwater and is still active today.
In 1986, a strong tornado hit parts of the south side of Sweetwater.
Sweetwater is known as the "Wind Turbine Capital of Texas." It is a major center for wind power in the Western Hemisphere. The largest wind farm in Texas, Roscoe Wind Farm, is nearby. In 2009, the wind industry created about 1,330 jobs in Nolan County. It also brought in millions of dollars in payments to landowners and local school taxes.
Sweetwater hosts the world's largest rattlesnake round-up every year. It has been held since 1958 by the Sweetwater Jaycees. It takes place on the second weekend in March. A gun and coin show is also held at the same time.
Geography and Climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, Sweetwater covers about 11.07 square miles (28.68 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
Sweetwater is at the center of a big wind power area. West Texas has over 4,000 megawatts of wind energy. Nolan County alone has more than 1,500 megawatts installed. This would make it one of the top places in the world for wind energy.
Climate Type
Sweetwater has a semiarid steppe climate. This type of climate is often found near deserts. The Köppen climate classification for Sweetwater is BSk. This means it has a tropical and subtropical steppe climate.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 614 | — | |
| 1900 | 670 | 9.1% | |
| 1910 | 4,176 | 523.3% | |
| 1920 | 4,307 | 3.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,848 | 151.9% | |
| 1940 | 10,367 | −4.4% | |
| 1950 | 13,619 | 31.4% | |
| 1960 | 13,914 | 2.2% | |
| 1970 | 12,020 | −13.6% | |
| 1980 | 12,242 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 11,967 | −2.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,415 | −4.6% | |
| 2010 | 10,906 | −4.5% | |
| 2020 | 10,622 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Sweetwater's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 10,622 people living in Sweetwater. There were 3,752 households and 2,464 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,158 | 48.56% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 592 | 5.57% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 24 | 0.23% |
| Asian (NH) | 93 | 0.88% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 0.02% |
| Some other race (NH) | 22 | 0.21% |
| Mixed/multiracial (NH) | 320 | 3.01% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,411 | 41.53% |
| Total | 10,622 |
Education in Sweetwater
The Sweetwater Independent School District serves the city of Sweetwater. It includes several schools:
- J.P. Cowen Early Childhood Center
- East Ridge Elementary
- Southeast Elementary
- Sweetwater Intermediate School
- Sweetwater Middle School
- Sweetwater High School
You can find more information on the official SISD website: http://sweetwaterisd.net/.
Sweetwater is also home to the West Texas campus of the Texas State Technical College System. In 2007, this college started the first community college wind-energy program in Texas. That same year, TSTC built a large 2 MW wind turbine for students to train on.
Notable People from Sweetwater
Many interesting people have connections to Sweetwater:
- Joe Banyard – A former NFL football player.
- Sammy Baugh – A Hall of Fame NFL and TCU football player.
- Doyle Brunson – A famous poker player known as "Texas Dolly."
- Frank Hamer – A Texas Ranger.
- John Layfield – A retired professional wrestler.
- Blackjack Mulligan – A retired professional wrestler.
- Jack Roberts – A United States federal judge.
- Tex Robertson – A University of Texas swimming coach.
- Zollie Coffer Steakley, Jr. – A former Texas Secretary of State and Texas Supreme Court judge.
- Clyde "Bulldog" Turner – A graduate of Sweetwater High School and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- James White – A high school cross-country coach.
- Barry Windham – A retired professional wrestler.
- Bobby Witcher – An amateur herpetologist known for handling snakes.
Recreation and Fun
- Newman Field – A ballpark where games are played.
See also
In Spanish: Sweetwater (Texas) para niños
