Texas, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Texas Queensland
A view of Texas from above, looking south with the airport runway in the front, 2010
Texas Location in Queensland
Population	790 (2021 census)
• Density	7.54/km2 (19.5/sq mi)
Established	1840s
Postcode(s)	4385
Elevation	297 m (974 ft)
Area	104.8 km2 (40.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	54.5 km (34 mi) S of Inglewood 98.9 km (61 mi) SE of Stanthorpe 113 km (70 mi) SE of Goondiwindi 304 km (189 mi) SW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Goondiwindi Region
State electorate(s)	Southern Downs
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 26.9 °C 80 °F 11.3 °C 52 °F 659.1 mm 25.9 in
Localities around Texas: Smithlea Limevale Silver Spur Texas (NSW) Texas Silver Spur Texas (NSW) Bonshaw (NSW) Silver Spur

Texas is a small town and area in the Goondiwindi Region of Queensland, Australia. It is located right on the border between Queensland and New South Wales. In 2021, about 790 people lived in Texas.

History of Texas

Texas is on the traditional lands of the Bigambul people. They are an Indigenous Australian group who have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Bigambul language region covers places like Goondiwindi, Yelarbon, and Texas.

The town of Texas was settled in 1842. It was named after a large property nearby called Texas Station. The name "Texas" came from a disagreement over land. The McDougall brothers, who owned the land, found other people living there when they returned from the goldfields. After their right to the land was confirmed, they named it Texas. This was a nod to a famous land dispute between the United States and Mexico over the territory of Texas.

Early Developments

Texas Provisional School first opened its doors on March 1, 1887. It later became Texas State School on January 1, 1900.

RM 1901 at Texas railway station, around 1991

A railway line connected Texas to Inglewood in November 1930. The town had its own Texas railway station. The railway line officially closed in 1994, and the station is no longer used.

Drying tobacco in Texas, around 1930

For many years, tobacco farming was a very important industry in Texas, especially until about 1986. Many Italian families moved to the area to work on these farms. Tobacco farming started becoming important in the late 1800s. Chinese workers were hired on Texas Station in the 1870s to grow tobacco. They were chosen because they already knew how to grow the crop. Later, in the 1900s, a lot of the region's tobacco was grown near the Dumaresq River.

The current Texas Library building opened in 2010. It had some small updates in 2011.

Population Changes

The number of people living in Texas has changed over the years:

• In 2006, the town had 693 people.
• In 2011, the area of Texas had 1,159 people.
• In 2016, the area had 843 people.
• In 2021, the area had 790 people.

Geography and Landscape

Texas is located only about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Queensland's southern border with New South Wales. The town of Bonshaw, New South Wales is very close by. There is also a place called Texas across the border in New South Wales. Both areas share a history from the original Texas farming property.

A main road, State Route 89, goes through Texas. It has different names depending on which direction you are going.

Mountains and Airport

Texas has two mountains:

• Texas Mount, which is 501 meters (1,644 feet) high.
• The Blacks Rock.

The Texas Aerodrome, which is a small airport, is located north-west of the town. It has a gravel runway about 830 meters (2,720 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) wide. The Goondiwindi Regional Council manages this airport.

Climate

Economy and Industries

Farming is the main industry in the Texas area. There is also a silver mine. A large cattle feedlot, called Whyalla Beef, is located about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the town.

Texas is part of the Goondiwindi Region. It is managed by the council located in the larger town of Goondiwindi. As of 2022, Texas has three petrol stations where you can get fuel.

Education in Texas

Block B and grounds, Texas State School, around 2022

Texas P–10 State School is a government school for students from Early Childhood (Prep) up to Year 10. It is located at 1 Flemming Street. In 2018, the school had 160 students and offered a special education program for students who need extra support.

There are no schools in Texas that go up to Year 12. Students who want to finish Year 11 and 12 usually go to schools in nearby towns like Stanthorpe or Goondiwindi. Other options for older students include learning from home through distance education or attending boarding schools.

Community Facilities and Fun

Texas public library, 2008

The Texas public library is at 46 High Street. It is run by the Goondiwindi Regional Council.

Texas Memorial Hall, 2008

The Texas Memorial Hall is at 50 High Street. It is also run by the Goondiwindi Regional Council. This hall is often used for community events.

The Texas branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its own rooms at 27 Broadway Street. This group helps women in rural areas.

Texas also has a swimming pool, a bowls club, a golf course, a showground, and a racecourse for horse racing.

Local Attractions

The Texas Heritage Centre and Tobacco Museum is at 50 Fleming Street. Here, you can learn about the history of Texas, including its past as a tobacco farming area.

Local News and Media

Texas is served by several newspapers, including the MacIntyre Gazette, Warwick Daily News, and Stanthorpe Border Post. The town also has a community radio station, 89.7 Ten FM, which broadcasts from Mount Mackenzie in Tenterfield, NSW.

Famous People from Texas

Some notable people who have connections to Texas include:

• James Blundell – a well-known singer.
• Travis Burns – a professional Rugby League player.
• Peter Hitchener – a news presenter for Nine News Melbourne.

See also

In Spanish: Texas (Australia) para niños