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Physical Features: North central county; broken, hilly, wooded in parts; Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Palo Pinto; sandy, gray, black soils.

Economy: Varied manufacturing, tourism, petroleum, agribusiness.

History: Anglo-American ranchers arrived in 1850s. Conflicts between settlers and numerous Indian tribes who had sought refuge on Brazos resulted in Texas Rangers removing Indians in 1856. County created 1856 from Bosque, Navarro counties; organized 1857; named for creek (in Spanish name means painted stick).

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 76.3; Black, 2.6; Hispanic, 20.0; Other, 1.2.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 398; deaths, 323; marriages, 211; divorces, 142.

Recreation: Lake activities, hunting, fishing, state park, Rails to Trails hiking, biking, fossil park.

Minerals: Oil, gas, clays.

Agriculture: Cattle, dairy products, nursery crops, hay, wheat. Market value $23.5 million. Cedar posts marketed.

PALO PINTO (333) county seat; government center.

MINERAL WELLS (16,788, part [2,144] in Parker County) oil and gas, manufacturing, tourism; hospital, Weatherford College branch; art center; state park east of city in Parker County; Crazy Water Festival in October.

Other towns include: Gordon (478); Graford (584) retirement/recreation area, Possum Fest in October; Mingus (235); Santo (445), and Strawn (653).

Sunflowers and hills near Possum Kingdom Lake. Photo by Robert Plocheck.