Andrews, Texas, Andrews County seat. (original) (raw)
Andrews County Seat, Texas Panhandle / West Texas
32�19'17"N 102�33'6"W (32.321401, -102.551733).
US Hwy 385, State Hwy 115 and 176
34 miles N of Odessa
30 miles E of New Mexico
ZIP code 79714
Area code 432
Population: 14,109 Est. (2019)
11,088 (2010) 9,652 (2000) 10,678 (1990)
Book Hotel Here › Andrews Hotels
History in a Pecan Shell
Both county and city are named for the same man. Richard Andrews was the first man to die for Texas Independence in 1835. Wounded in Gonzales on October 2, 1835, he died 26 days later at the battle of Concepci�n.
Andrews County was organized in 1876 and named after him and the town of Andrews is the only incorporated municipality in the county.
According to the Handbook of Texas, 1908 is the year things got started around a nucleus of just a school and a general store. The entire population was less than 100 at that time and few of them lived in the city proper.
The post office was granted in 1909. Shafter Lake was Andrews rival to become county seat, but Andrews won and Shafter Lake is now a ghost town. Andrews first courthouse was built in 1911, and replaced with the 1939 building.
Things stayed quiet until oil was discovered in 1929. That year saw oil discoveries all over West Texas, but the strikes were modest compared to other counties.
In 1940 the population had risen to over 600 - but many were oilmen and their dependents.
Andrews got a library in 1947 - although it was only space in the courthouse.
Six county school districts were established in the 1930s, but they were soon consolidated into one. Oil revenue purchased a new high school after WWII and a middle school was built in 1954.
The population dipped to 3,300 in 1950 and then rose to just over 11,000 in 1960.
City of Andrews
and Andrews County History
Andrews County has been in existence since 1876, when the 15th Legislature of Texas created 54 counties in the Panhandle and South Plains out of Bexar County. The political control of the county has passed through several other counties and districts since its inception. On July 22, 1910, the county records were finally transferred from Midland County to Andrews County, and the Commissioners Court held its first meeting.
Andrews County's first oil well blew in December of 1929. By 1956, the County produced more than 60 million barrels of oil annually - giving us recognition as the number one oil producing county in the state of Texas and in the United States.
The City of Andrews was incorporated on February 2, 1937. On June 9, 1959, the citizens of Andrews adopted a charter with the Council - Manager form of city government. The City Council meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. The city continues to operate under this structure serving a current population of 9,652.
In 1961, the Municipal Administration building was constructed at the corner of N. E. 1st and Logsdon Avenue. The Facility currently houses most of the city offices including the Municipal Court and the Police Station. Plans are under way for a new site for the police station. - Debbie Gomez, June 06, 2002
1940 Photo courtesy TXDoT
Andrews, Texas Forum
Subject: City of Andrews
I visited your site today and noticed Andrews was not a part of the search as yet. I have attached our summary for your convenience. ... I really enjoyed what information you have posted so far. Thank you in advance for adding us to your database! - Debbie Gomez, June 06, 2002
"Welcome to Andrews"
Photo courtesy Debbie Gomez
Andrews Chamber of Commerce - (432) 523-2695
700 West Broadway, TX79714
http://www.andrewstx.com/
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