Junction, Texas
Encyclopedia
Junction is a city in and the county seat
of Kimble County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 2,618 at the 2000 census.
and 120 miles (193.1 km) west of Austin
in central Kimble County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.44% is water.
Junction is named for its location at the confluence of the North and South Llano River
s.
The population stood at 536 in 1900. Four Mile Dam, a more permanent and extensive dam, was completed in 1904. Junction continued to rapidly grow with around 800 residents living in the community in 1910. That figure had grown to 1,250 by 1920. By the late 1920s, citizens felt the need for the benefits of a municipal government. On August 27, 1927, H.O. Denman and 152 others presented an incorporation petition to Kimble County Judge J.B. Randolph. In the election, 390 votes were cast: 274 (70%) "For Incorporation" and 116 (30%) "Against Incorporation." A city officers' election took place on October 13, 1927 with Ernest Holekamp elected as Junction's first mayor. During the mid-1920s, highway connections from Junction to Menard
and San Angelo
were made available. A sewer system was built in 1929. In the 1930 census, the city recorded 1,415 residents. Junction was the chief shipping and commercial center of Kimble County, as well as a tourist resort and hunting center. A new municipal building and fire station were opened in 1939 and 1940, respectively. In the mid-1940s, the cedar-oil business enhanced the economy, but the city's growth slowed. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, Junction's population continued to hover around 2,600. A 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 2,576, a 1.6 percent decline from the 2000 Census figure of 2,618.
of 2000, there were 2,618 people, 1,028 households, and 699 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,145.0 people per square mile (441.4/km2). There were 1,222 housing units at an average density of 534.5 per square mile (206.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.13% White, 0.04% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 11.12% from other races
, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.99% of the population.
There were 1,028 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $30,865. Males had a median income of $24,096 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,971. About 16.4% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
There is also an Economic Development Corporation, Tourism Board, and Chamber of Commerce tasked with attracting jobs and visitors to Junction while supporting local business establishments.
, U.S. Highway 83
, and U.S. Highway 377
. It is also located a short distance from the U.S. Highway 290
intersection with I-10.
Kimble County Airport consists of a 5000 feet (1,524 m) paved runway. Commercial service is available from Mathis Field in San Angelo
.
Electric power for the city of Junction is provided by AEP/West Texas Utilities
, while member-owned Pedernales Electric
distributes power to rural Kimble County.
A four-member police force and County Sheriff officer's serve the community. There is also a 30-member Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Kimble County Ranch Fire Association, which has firefighting personnel and equipment. Ambulance and rescue services are also provided.
http://www.junctionisd.net/. The district supports an elementary, middle, and high School housed on a single campus at 1700 College Street.
Junction is home to the Texas Tech University Center at Junction
, a satellite school of Texas Tech University
in Lubbock
, Texas. The center is situated on a 410 acres (1.7 km²) campus and offers a broad spectrum of programs in both the undergraduate and graduate disciplines.
The Kimble County Historical Museum contains documents, tools, and other relics from the days of early settlers and military artifacts. The O.C. Fisher Museum, housed in the Kimble County Library, contains an exact duplicate of the Washington
office of the long-time Congressman who represented the Junction area.
Junction is home to several parks, including the 507 acres (2.1 km²) South Llano State Park. There are also eight swimming pools, golf and tennis courts, and abundant hotel/motel options due mainly to its location along the heavily-traveled Interstate 10 corridor.
The Fort McKavett State Historic Site
is also located near Junction.
, Paul "Bear" Bryant
's 10-day summer football
camp was held in Junction in 1954. The "Junction Boys
" was the nickname given to those who made it through the entire camp. The event was portrayed in an ESPN
television film.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Kimble County
Kimble County, Texas
Kimble County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat is Junction. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.-Geography:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,618 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Junction is located at 30.489772°N 99.771335°W (30.489772, -99.771335), approximately 105 miles (169 km) northwest of San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
and 120 miles (193.1 km) west of Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in central Kimble County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.44% is water.
Junction is named for its location at the confluence of the North and South Llano River
Llano River
The Llano River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 105 mi long, in central Texas in the United States. It drains part of the Edwards Plateau in Texas Hill Country northwest of Austin....
s.
History
The community was founded in 1876 after the organization of Kimble County earlier that year. The original town site was named Denman after Marcellus Denman, who had surveyed and platted the new community. The name Denman was quickly changed to Junction City. In late 1876, Junction City won the designation of county seat from the unsuccessful and flood-prone settlement of Kimbleville. By 1879, a drugstore, livery stable, sawmill, and a few general stores were active in the community. Around 300 people were living in Junction City in 1882. The West Texas, Kimble County's first newspaper, began publishing in 1882. The county courthouse and its records were lost to a fire in 1884. A second, two-story brick stone courthouse was partially destroyed in an 1888 fire, but was repaired and remained in use until 1929, when the present courthouse was constructed. In 1894, Junction City became known simply as Junction. Infrastructure improvements marked the decade of the 1890s. Businessman Ernest Holekamp provided the city's first waterworks with a canal dug from the South Llano to Junction in 1895. A dam was built in 1896 on the South Llano River to provide power and water to the city and irrigation to surrounding lands.The population stood at 536 in 1900. Four Mile Dam, a more permanent and extensive dam, was completed in 1904. Junction continued to rapidly grow with around 800 residents living in the community in 1910. That figure had grown to 1,250 by 1920. By the late 1920s, citizens felt the need for the benefits of a municipal government. On August 27, 1927, H.O. Denman and 152 others presented an incorporation petition to Kimble County Judge J.B. Randolph. In the election, 390 votes were cast: 274 (70%) "For Incorporation" and 116 (30%) "Against Incorporation." A city officers' election took place on October 13, 1927 with Ernest Holekamp elected as Junction's first mayor. During the mid-1920s, highway connections from Junction to Menard
Menard, Texas
Menard is a city in and the county seat of Menard County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,653 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and San Angelo
San Angelo, Texas
San Angelo is a city in the state of Texas. Located in West Central Texas it is the county seat of Tom Green County. As of 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 93,200...
were made available. A sewer system was built in 1929. In the 1930 census, the city recorded 1,415 residents. Junction was the chief shipping and commercial center of Kimble County, as well as a tourist resort and hunting center. A new municipal building and fire station were opened in 1939 and 1940, respectively. In the mid-1940s, the cedar-oil business enhanced the economy, but the city's growth slowed. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, Junction's population continued to hover around 2,600. A 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 2,576, a 1.6 percent decline from the 2000 Census figure of 2,618.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,618 people, 1,028 households, and 699 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,145.0 people per square mile (441.4/km2). There were 1,222 housing units at an average density of 534.5 per square mile (206.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.13% White, 0.04% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 11.12% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.99% of the population.
There were 1,028 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $30,865. Males had a median income of $24,096 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,971. About 16.4% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city of Junction is a "Type A" General Law Municipality under Texas Law. The local government is headed by an elected Mayor and five-member city council.There is also an Economic Development Corporation, Tourism Board, and Chamber of Commerce tasked with attracting jobs and visitors to Junction while supporting local business establishments.
Infrastructure
Notable highways serving the city include Interstate 10Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
, U.S. Highway 83
U.S. Route 83
U.S. Route 83 is one of the longest north–south U.S. Highways in the United States, at . Only four other north–south routes are longer: U.S. Routes 1, 41, 59 and 87. The highway's northern terminus is north of Westhope, North Dakota, at the Canadian border, where it continues as...
, and U.S. Highway 377
U.S. Route 377
U.S. Route 377 is a north–south United States highway. Originally created as a short spur to connect Denton, Texas with Fort Worth, Texas, it has since been extended to Oklahoma and Mexico for a total length of 478 miles .-Texas:...
. It is also located a short distance from the U.S. Highway 290
U.S. Route 290
U.S. Highway 290 is an east–west U.S. Highway located entirely within the State of Texas. Its current western terminus is at Interstate 10 milepost 477 , southeast of Junction, and its eastern terminus is at Interstate 610 on the northwest side of Houston.-Route Description:West of Austin, U.S...
intersection with I-10.
Kimble County Airport consists of a 5000 feet (1,524 m) paved runway. Commercial service is available from Mathis Field in San Angelo
San Angelo, Texas
San Angelo is a city in the state of Texas. Located in West Central Texas it is the county seat of Tom Green County. As of 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 93,200...
.
Electric power for the city of Junction is provided by AEP/West Texas Utilities
American Electric Power
American Electric Power is a major investor-owner electric utility in various parts of the United States. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S...
, while member-owned Pedernales Electric
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Pedernales Electric Cooperative is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Johnson City, Texas. The cooperative was organized in 1938.The cooperative is owned by 200,000 members and serves an area of ....
distributes power to rural Kimble County.
A four-member police force and County Sheriff officer's serve the community. There is also a 30-member Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Kimble County Ranch Fire Association, which has firefighting personnel and equipment. Ambulance and rescue services are also provided.
Education
Public education in the city of Junction is provided by the Junction Independent School DistrictJunction Independent School District
Junction Independent School District is a public school district based in Junction, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency....
http://www.junctionisd.net/. The district supports an elementary, middle, and high School housed on a single campus at 1700 College Street.
Junction is home to the Texas Tech University Center at Junction
Texas Tech University Center at Junction
Texas Tech University Center at Junction is an official off campus teaching site of Texas Tech University in Junction, Texas. It hosts undergraduate and graduate courses in an intensive three-week period format from May through July. Additionally, an Intersession is held in May; this allows...
, a satellite school of Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, Texas. The center is situated on a 410 acres (1.7 km²) campus and offers a broad spectrum of programs in both the undergraduate and graduate disciplines.
Notable persons
- Ernest Holekamp, Junction's first mayor and son of Betty HolekampBetty HolekampBetty Holekamp was a German colonist and pioneer in Texas. She is recognized for several "firsts" as a Texas pioneer, such as being the first to sew an American flag upon Texas's acceptance into the Union, and thus is known as the Betsy Ross of Texas...
. - GovernorGovernor of TexasThe governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Coke Stevenson, who served from 1941–1947, was a native of Junction. A meeting hall north of Interstate 10Interstate 10Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
is named in his honor. Stevenson lost to Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
the disputed 1948 U.S. Senate DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
primaryPrimary electionA primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
runoff election by eighty-seven disputed votes. - Joe Bowman (marksman)Joe Bowman (marksman)Joe Bowman, born Joseph Lee Bowman , was a Houston bootmaker and marksman called "The Straight Shooter", considered to have been a guardian of Texas and western frontier culture. Shortly after his death, Bowman was inducted posthumously into the Texas Heroes Hall of Honor at the Frontier Times...
died of a heart attackMyocardial infarctionMyocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in a hotel in Junction in 2009.
Attractions
Major celebrations in Junction include the Billie Sale and Parade held in August and the annual Kimble Kow Kick, which takes place in September.The Kimble County Historical Museum contains documents, tools, and other relics from the days of early settlers and military artifacts. The O.C. Fisher Museum, housed in the Kimble County Library, contains an exact duplicate of the Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
office of the long-time Congressman who represented the Junction area.
Junction is home to several parks, including the 507 acres (2.1 km²) South Llano State Park. There are also eight swimming pools, golf and tennis courts, and abundant hotel/motel options due mainly to its location along the heavily-traveled Interstate 10 corridor.
The Fort McKavett State Historic Site
Fort McKavett State Historic Site
Fort McKavett State Historic Site is a state park in Menard County, Texas, United States. Fort McKavett was a frontier fort established as Camp San Saba in 1852 to protect settlers from Indian raids...
is also located near Junction.
Miscellaneous
While coaching at Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, Paul "Bear" Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
's 10-day summer football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
camp was held in Junction in 1954. The "Junction Boys
Junction Boys
The Junction Boys is the name given to the “survivors” of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s 10 day summer football camp in Junction, Texas beginning September 1, 1954...
" was the nickname given to those who made it through the entire camp. The event was portrayed in an ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
television film.
External links
- City of Junction, Texas - Official site.
- Junction Eagle - weekly newspaper.
- Junction Independent School District
- Kimble County Chamber of Commerce
- Junction, Texas Economic Development Corporation (JTEDC)