Page Contents for Plains, Texas

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

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Statistics & Facts

The Texas state capital is Austin.
The population of Plains is approximately 1,422 (1990), 1481 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 593 (1990), 508 (2010).
The amount of land area in Plains is 2.562 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Plains to Washington DC is 1556 miles.
The distance to the Texas state capital is 363 miles. (as the crow flies)
Plains is positioned 33.19 degrees north of the equator and 102.82 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

in the Lubbock general area.
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History & History Related Items

In February of 1905, W.J. Luna moved his family from the Palo Duro Canyon area to a section of land he had purchased in what was to become central Yoakum County. Mr. Luna filed on four adjoiningsections of land on the Sulphur Springs Draw and established a post office in his home. Mr. Luna named the post office Plains, which pretty much describes this land that lies between the Rocky Mountainson the west and the caprock escarpment on the east.

In 1907, Mr. Luna designated the town section of Plains where he built a store building and moved the post office into it. It is told that Mr. Luna offered to give a town lot to each voter in Yoakum County. During the oil boom years of the late 1940's and early 1950's, the residents of Plains became concerned about the contamination of underground water through improper disposal of wastewater and elected to become an incorporated city so that a sewer system could be installed. At that time Plains entered into the electric business in order to pay off the bonds required to install the sewer system. Since that time Plains has truly become a full service city as it eventually purchased the water and natural gas distribution system.
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Attractions

Farming and ranching in the Plains area have stabilized the fluctuation of the oil economy through the years. During the past few years, Plains' population and economic base has remained stable and the future looks bright for those folks who enjoy the fresh air, cool nights and open skies of the West Texas prairie. Plains has a super school facility with three gyms, an olympic size swimming pool, a very large resource center, modern computer labs, and even an FM radio station. Students here have the opportunity to participate in sports, band, vocational agriculture, UIL events, and various other school activities.

Yoakum County maintains a park in the city limits of Plains as well as a park located between Plains and Denver City. The park in Plains is a large well-maintained area with a swimming pool, picnic tables, lots oftrees, and a covered gathering area with a barbecue pit. Families and groups often gather at the park for cook-outs and games of baseball, volleyball, horseshoes, etc. The park located south of Plains, towardDenver City, has a nine hole golf course as well as a couple of baseball fields, picnic areas, and a community center type meeting place that is often used for church gatherings, reunions, etc. The county also maintains a Youth Center with various video games as well a pool table and a table tennis area. Area youth also have the opportunity to be involved in a Little Dribblers basketball program as well as Little League baseball.

The City of Plains maintains and operates a volunteer Fire Department as well as a volunteer Ambulance Service. Yoakum County furnishes police protection. There is a very modern well-equipped hospital inDenver City. Businesses in Plains are mostly limited to necessity type items. There are two grocery stores, a couple of convenient stores, several agriculture related businesses, three restaurants, a lumber yard, anauto parts house, flower shops, and insurance agencies. Most residents travel to Lubbock to shop for major items. Shopping malls, department stores, car dealerships, movie theaters, and restaurants seem to be themost frequently shopped places in Lubbock. The trip to Lubbock takes a little over an hour.

Plains is a quiet little farming community where family life comes before business, where youth activities carry a high priority, and where newcomers are welcomed with open arms.
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