Winters, Texas
Encyclopedia
Winters is a city in Runnels County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 2,880 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau
estimate placed the population at 2,569.
and Farm Roads 53 and 1770 in north central Runnels County, approximately 41 miles south of Abilene
and 52 miles northeast of San Angelo
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (19.71%) is water.
built an extension from Abilene to Winters. Land values in the city jumped to $7.00 per acre. A cottonseed mill became the first major industry in Winters when it opened in 1909. It remained in operation until 1939. In 1910, the population had risen to 1,247. A public library was constructed in 1964. By 1980, the population stood at 3,061. That number fell slightly to 2,905 in 1990 and 2,880 in 2000. Winters had a total of 140 businesses in 2000, up from 96 in 1970. Today, the city serves as a commercial and distribution center for a large agricultural and ranching area.
of 2000, there were 2,880 people, 1,082 households, and 750 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,280.7 people per square mile (494.2/km²). There were 1,251 housing units at an average density of 556.3 per square mile (214.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.04% White, 2.05% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 18.58% from other races
, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.24% of the population.
There were 1,082 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,587, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $27,112 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,030. About 20.6% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
caboose sits outside of the museum.
W. Lee Colburn Park is located seven miles east of Winters, adjacent to Elm Creek Reservoir. The park has various recreational facilities and 14 spaces for RVs with full hookups.
. The district has three campuses – Winters Elementary School (grades PK-6), Winters Junior High School (grades 7-8), and Winters High School (grades 9-12).
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 2,880 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. 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...
estimate placed the population at 2,569.
Geography
Winters is located at 31°57′32"N 99°57′32"W (31.958786, -99.958810). It is situated at the junction of U.S. Highway 83U.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 Farm Roads 53 and 1770 in north central Runnels County, approximately 41 miles south of Abilene
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
and 52 miles northeast of 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...
.
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 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (19.71%) is water.
History
In 1880, the families of C.N. Curry and C.E. Bell settled in an area known as Bluff Creek Valley, southwest of the present town. Local cowboy Jack Mackey suggested that the community be named in honor of John N. Winters, a rancher and land agent. A post office was established in 1891 and Mr. Winters donated land for a school soon after. Winters had approximately 163 residents in 1892. It became famous for a traveling brass band that was organized by Charles Tipton Grant in 1901. A newspaper began publishing in 1903. Winters incorporated in 1909, the same year that the Abilene and Southern RailwayAbilene and Southern Railway
The Abilene and Southern Railway was a railroad company that existed from 1909 to 1978 and was eventually taken over by the Missouri Pacific Railroad.- History :...
built an extension from Abilene to Winters. Land values in the city jumped to $7.00 per acre. A cottonseed mill became the first major industry in Winters when it opened in 1909. It remained in operation until 1939. In 1910, the population had risen to 1,247. A public library was constructed in 1964. By 1980, the population stood at 3,061. That number fell slightly to 2,905 in 1990 and 2,880 in 2000. Winters had a total of 140 businesses in 2000, up from 96 in 1970. Today, the city serves as a commercial and distribution center for a large agricultural and ranching area.
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 2,880 people, 1,082 households, and 750 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 1,280.7 people per square mile (494.2/km²). There were 1,251 housing units at an average density of 556.3 per square mile (214.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.04% White, 2.05% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 18.58% 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 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.24% of the population.
There were 1,082 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% 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, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,587, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $27,112 versus $18,438 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 $11,030. About 20.6% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
The Z.I. Hale Museum, housed in the former clinic of a prominent local optometrist, features exhibits of area history, photographs, and documents. A Missouri-PacificMissouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific...
caboose sits outside of the museum.
W. Lee Colburn Park is located seven miles east of Winters, adjacent to Elm Creek Reservoir. The park has various recreational facilities and 14 spaces for RVs with full hookups.
Education
Public education in the city of Winters is provided by the Winters Independent School DistrictWinters Independent School District
Winters Independent School District is a public school district based in Winters, Texas .Located in Runnels County, the district extends into a small portion of Taylor County.The school mascot is the Blizzard....
. The district has three campuses – Winters Elementary School (grades PK-6), Winters Junior High School (grades 7-8), and Winters High School (grades 9-12).
Notable residents
- Rogers HornsbyRogers HornsbyRogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
great, born in Winters on April 27, 1896. - Del ShoresDel ShoresDel Shores is an American film director and producer, television writer and producer, playwright and actor.-Biography:...
, American film directorFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and film producerFilm producerA film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, television writer, playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, and actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, born in Winters. The play, film, and television series Sordid LivesSordid LivesSordid Lives was a 2000 independent film, written and directed by Del Shores. The movie is based on Shores' play of the same name and includes elements of his life, according to the director's DVD commentary...
, written by Del Shores, is loosely based on Shores life in Winters. - Geoff ConnorGeoff ConnorGeoffrey Scott Connor is an American politician, attorney, and entrepreneur from the state of Texas. Connor has been an aide or appointee of several Republican Governors of Texas, including William P. Clements, Jr., George W. Bush, and Rick Perry. Most notably, Connor served as the 104th...
, Texas politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, the 104th Texas Secretary of State, born and raised in Winters.