Umbarger, Texas facts for kids
Umbarger is a small community in Randall County, Texas, United States. It's a place where people live, but it's not officially a city. In 2000, about 327 people lived there. Umbarger is also part of the larger Amarillo area.
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History of Umbarger
The story of Umbarger began in the mid-1890s. In 1895, a rancher named S.G. Umbarger rented the land. Two years later, he bought it. He started several businesses there for settlers and travelers. A railroad company, the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway, built a switch near his ranch in 1898. Even though S.G. Umbarger sold his ranch and moved away in 1900, the settlement kept his name.
As more land became available, the community slowly grew. In 1902, a group of German Catholic families moved to Umbarger from south central Texas. A general store, which also held the post office, opened soon after. A public school district started in 1904.
Around the same time, a Catholic missionary, Father Joseph Reisdorff, worked to bring more German families to the area. In 1908, he and John Hutson, an Englishman who bought and sold land, both made plans for new settlements. This caused some disagreements, leading to two separate Catholic churches being built. Later, Swiss immigrants also settled in Umbarger from 1911 to the late 1920s.
By the 1920s, the main business area was on the north side of the railroad tracks. This part was planned by Father Reisdorff. Under the leadership of Father John J. Dolje, St. Mary's Church was moved to where it stands today.
In 1930, about 80 people lived in Umbarger. By 1940, the population grew to 150. In 1964, Umbarger's public school joined with the schools in nearby Canyon. Because Umbarger is close to Amarillo and Canyon, and also near Buffalo Lake, the community has continued to grow. Even though it's not an official city, Umbarger is home to over 300 people. It also has several businesses and its own post office.
Where is Umbarger?
Umbarger is located at 34°57′23″N 102°06′34″W / 34.95639°N 102.10944°W. It is along U.S. Highway 60 in west central Randall County. It's about 10 miles southwest of Canyon. It is also about 26 miles southwest of Amarillo.
Umbarger's Climate
Umbarger has a semi-arid climate. This means it gets very little rain, but not as little as a desert. It often has dry, hot summers and cool winters.
Fun Things to See and Do
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Every November, Umbarger holds an annual German Sausage Festival. This event takes place at St. Mary's Parish Hall. St. Mary's Church is famous for its beautiful art. It has painted murals, wood carvings, and stained glass windows. These were made by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. They were held at a nearby camp.
One of the prisoners, Dino Gambetti, became a famous artist in Italy after the war. He also encouraged another prisoner, Alberto Burri, to become an artist. Umbarger is also located just three miles north of Buffalo Lake. This area is home to the Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a great place to see nature.
Schools in Umbarger
Public education for students in Umbarger is provided by the Canyon Independent School District. Younger students attend Crestview Elementary School (grades K-4). Then they go to Canyon Intermediate School (grades 5-6). After that, they attend Canyon Junior High School (grades 7-8). Finally, they go to Canyon High School (grades 9-12).
Images for kids
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Grain elevator in Umbarger, November 2011
