O'Donnell, Texas
Encyclopedia
O'Donnell is a West Texas
town that lies primarily in Lynn County, with a small portion extending south into Dawson County, Texas. The population was 1,011 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.2 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,011 people, 364 households, and 275 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,177.5 people per square mile (453.9/km²). There were 423 housing units at an average density of 492.7/sq mi (189.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.00% White, 1.09% African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 31.75% from other races
, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.28% of the population.
There were 364 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,103, and the median income for a family was $30,833. Males had a median income of $26,193 versus $15,917 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,924. About 24.4% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.1% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
town that lies primarily in Lynn County, with a small portion extending south into Dawson County, Texas. The population was 1,011 at the 2000 census.
History
O'Donnell was first settled in 1910 and named for Tom J. O'Donnell, a railroad promoter.Geography
O'Donnell is located at 32°57′55"N 101°49′44"W (32.965266, -101.829021)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 0.9 square miles (2.2 km²), all of it land.
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 1,011 people, 364 households, and 275 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 1,177.5 people per square mile (453.9/km²). There were 423 housing units at an average density of 492.7/sq mi (189.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.00% White, 1.09% African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 31.75% 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 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.28% of the population.
There were 364 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% 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 24.2% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,103, and the median income for a family was $30,833. Males had a median income of $26,193 versus $15,917 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 $12,924. About 24.4% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.1% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Dan BlockerDan BlockerDan Blocker was an American actor best remembered for his role as Eric "Hoss" Cartwright in the NBC western television series Bonanza.-Early life:...
(Dec 10, 1928 - May 13, 1972) was born Bobby Dan Blocker in DeKalb in Bowie CountyBowie County, TexasBowie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Texarkana, Texas - Texarkana, Arkansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 89,306. Its legal county seat is Boston, though its courthouse is located in New Boston...
, Texas. His parents Mary and Ora Blocker moved to O'Donnell shortly after his birth. He graduated from Sul Ross University and taught school in SonoraSonora, TexasSonora is the county seat of Sutton County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,924 at the 2000 census.Former State Senator and Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant was reared in Sonora and graduated from high school there.-Geography and climate:Sonora is located at ...
. He later served in the Army before moving to California and shooting to fame as Hoss Cartwright on the NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television series BonanzaBonanzaBonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
. A small museumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
in O'Donnell features limited Blocker memorabilia. He was also an active liberal DemocratDemocratic 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...
.
- Phil HardbergerPhil HardbergerPhil Hardberger is a former mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He took office in June 2005. He is a Democrat; however, as with all mayoral, city council, and school board positions in Texas, Hardberger was elected on a non-partisan ballot....
(July 27, 1934 - ), the former mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of San AntonioSan Antonio, TexasSan 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,...
, grew up in O'Donnell. His parents, Homer Reeves Hardberger and the former Bess Scott, are buried at the O'Donnell Cemetery in Dawson County. Mrs. Hardberger (1913–2008), a native of Burnet CountyBurnet County, TexasBurnet County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 34,147. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate was 44,488. Its county seat is Burnet. Burnet is named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas...
, taught school in the community for thirty-three years and was active in the BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church.
- David Moore Smith (August 17, 1952—October 11, 2008), a farmerFarmerA farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
and businessman, was the mayor of O'Donnell from 1988–1994 and previously a member of the city council. The son of the late Warren Denzal Smith and the former Oleta Moore, he graduated in 1970 from O'Donnell High School and in 1975 from Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech UniversityTexas 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 LubbockLubbock, TexasLubbock 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...
. He was a Methodist, a Shriner, and a RotarianRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
. He was survived by his wife, the former Esther J. Quintana; his mother, and a brother, William Denzal Smith. Interment was at O'Donnell Cemetery.