Click to enlarge.	Map legend.

Physical Features: High Plains, many playas, creeks, draws; sandy, loam, black soils; underground water; Palo Duro Reservoir.

Economy: Agribusinesses; oil, gas operations; wind energy.

History: Apaches, pushed out by Comanches around 1700. U.S. Army removed Comanches in 1874-75, and ranching began soon afterward. Farmers, including Norwegians, moved in around 1900. County created in 1876, from Bexar, Young districts; organized in 1889; named for jurist J.M. Hansford.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 53.74; Black, 0.72; Hispanic, 43.98; Asian, 0.38; Other, 1.18.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 85; deaths, 57; marriages, 47; divorces, 9.

Recreation: Stationmasters House Museum, hunting, lake activities, ecotourism, Lindbergh landing site.

Minerals: Production of gas, oil.

Agriculture: Large cattle-feeding operations; corn, wheat (second in acreage), sorghum; hogs. Substantial irrigation. Market value $589.8 million.

SPEARMAN (3,368) county seat; farming, cattle production, oil and gas, wind energy, biofuels; hospital, library, windmill collection; Heritage Days in May with rib cookoff.

Other towns include: Gruver (1,194) farm-ranch market, natural gas production, Fourth of July barbecue; Morse (147).

Skyline of Gruver. Photo by Robert Plocheck.