Kimble County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Kimble County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau
in the U.S. state
of Texas
. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat
is Junction
. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble
, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
.
, the county has a total area of 1251 square miles (3,240.1 km²), of which 1250 square miles (3,237.5 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (0.02%) is water.
, Kiowa
, Kiowa Apache, and Lipan Apache. The first Europeans to encounter the area were the Spanish
, who led several campaigns against the local Indian tribes in the mid-18th century. In 1808, Spanish Captain Francisco Amangual commanded a military expedition from San Antonio
to Santa Fe
and mapped a road, which passed through what is now Kimble County. The area was first mentioned in Republic of Texas
documents in 1842, when approximately 416,000 aces of the present county were included in the Fisher-Miller Land Grant
, which extended from the Llano River
to the Colorado River
.
and chose a site along the banks of the South Llano River. Others settled in the Big and Little Saline valleys. Two of the Gentry's sons would later be killed, one by Indians and the other during the Civil War
. Bradbury was also killed by Indians during what would later become known as the Battle of Bradbury Hills.
The Texas Legislature enacted legislation on January 22, 1858, creating Kimble County from what was previously part of Bexar County. The new county was named for Lieutenant George C. Kimble
(sometimes spelled Kimbell), who died during the Battle of the Alamo
. From 1858 to 1875, Kimble County was attached to Gillespie County
for judicial purposes.
Meanwhile, several settlements sprang up along the Johnson Fork of the Llano River, near Copperas Creek, and in the valleys of the James River after the Civil War. Throughout the 1870s, the lightly populated settlements of Kimble County faced raids by Comanches as well as Lipans and Kickapoos who used Mexico
as their base. All raids ceased after 1878. The county also became a popular haven for outlaws that used the areas hilly terrain and dense cedar brakes as hideouts.
On September 6, 1875, Kimble County was separated from Gillespie County and attached to Menard County for judicial purposes.
, Noxville, Roosevelt
, Segovia, Telegraph
, and Viejo (later Cleo).
Kimble County continued to grow during the early 20th century. The population in 1900 was 2,503. The 20th century brought many amenities to the county that were previously unavailable. Four Mile Dam was completed in 1904. The first telephone system came to Junction in 1905, and the first banks opened a year later. Electric lights came to Junction in 1917 and gas stations were introduced soon after.
A county-wide bond election to fund the construction of gravel and paved roads was approved in 1919. By 1922, State Highway 27 was a working unpaved road. It ran through Junction, southeast to Kerrville
, and west to Sonora
. State Highways 4 and 29 were also operational. State Highway 29 extended through the communities of London and Telegraph by 1930. All Kimble County roads had been paved by the late 1940s. Old highways 4 and 27 became U.S. Highway 83
, Highway 27 became U.S. Highway 290
, and Highway 29 became U.S. Highway 377
.
Junction was officially incorporated in 1927. In the late 1920s, Kimble County had become one of the state's leaders in the wool and mohair industry. Various aspects of agricultural production continued to dominate the local economy, however.
Unemployment increased in the county during the Great Depression
, but the population rose throughout the 1930s and stood at 5,064 by the 1940 census. Electricity was introduced to rural Kimble County in April 1945. In the mid-1940s, the economy diversified as a small amount of oil production was introduced, along with the limited production of sand, gravel, and gas.
of 2000, there are 4,468 people, 1,866 households, and 1,285 families residing in the county. The population density
was 4 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,996 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.29% White
, 0.09% Black
or African American
, 0.34% Native American
, 0.45% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 7.48% from other races
, and 1.34% from two or more races. 20.73% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,866 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples
living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,396, and the median income for a family was $34,966. Males had a median income of $24,844 versus $20,431 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,127. About 13.40% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.
serves most of Kimble County, including the city of Junction as well as the communities of London, Roosevelt, and Telegraph. The southeastern portion of the county is part of the Harper Independent School District
, which is headquartered in the Gillespie County
community of Harper
. There is also a very small portion of the county that lies within the Mason Independent School District
.
Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a region of west-central Texas which is bounded by the Balcones Fault to the south and east, the Llano Uplift and the Llano Estacado to the north, and the Pecos River and Chihuahuan Desert to the west. San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio roughly outline the area...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
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...
. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Junction
Junction, Texas
Junction is a city in and the county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,618 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble
George C. Kimble
George C. Kimble defender and officer of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, was born in 1803 and died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Kimble County in the hill country of Texas is named in his honor....
, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 1251 square miles (3,240.1 km²), of which 1250 square miles (3,237.5 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (0.02%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 10
U.S. Highway 83
U.S. Highway 290
U.S. Highway 377
Adjacent counties
- Menard County (north)
- Mason CountyMason County, TexasMason County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 4, 012. Its county seat is Mason...
(northeast) - Gillespie CountyGillespie County, TexasGillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
(east) - Kerr CountyKerr County, TexasKerr County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 49,625. Its county seat is Kerrville. Kerr County was named by Joshua D. Brown for his fellow Kentucky native, James Kerr, a congressman of the Republic of Texas...
(southeast) - Edwards County (southwest)
- Sutton County (west)
Early years
Prior to the arrival of foreign settlers, the area that would later become Kimble County was inhabited by several Native American groups, including the ComancheComanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
, Kiowa
Kiowa
The Kiowa are a nation of American Indians and indigenous people of the Great Plains. They migrated from the northern plains to the southern plains in the late 17th century. In 1867, the Kiowa moved to a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma...
, Kiowa Apache, and Lipan Apache. The first Europeans to encounter the area were the Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
, who led several campaigns against the local Indian tribes in the mid-18th century. In 1808, Spanish Captain Francisco Amangual commanded a military expedition from San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San 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,...
to Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
and mapped a road, which passed through what is now Kimble County. The area was first mentioned in Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
documents in 1842, when approximately 416,000 aces of the present county were included in the Fisher-Miller Land Grant
Fisher-Miller Land Grant
The Fisher-Miller Land Grant was part of an early colonization effort of the Republic of Texas. Its 3,878,000 acres covered between the Llano River and Colorado River. Originally granted to Henry Francis Fisher and Burchard Miller, the grant was sold to the German colonization company of Adelsverein...
, which extended from the Llano River
Llano River
The Llano River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 105 mi long, in central Texas in the United States. It drains part of the Edwards Plateau in Texas Hill Country northwest of Austin....
to the Colorado River
Colorado River (Texas)
The Colorado River is a river that runs through the U.S. state of Texas; it should not be confused with the much longer Colorado River which flows from Colorado into the Gulf of California....
.
Settlement & formation
The earliest settlers began arriving in the late 1850s. One of the first was Raleigh Gentry, who settled along Bear Creek around 1857. The Gentry family consisted of Raleigh, his wife, and their several adult sons. Another early settler was James Bradbury, Sr., who moved to the area from Williamson CountyWilliamson County, Texas
Williamson County is a county located on both the Edwards Plateau to the west, consisting of rocky terrain and hills, and Blackland Prairies in the east consising of rich, fertile farming land, The two areas are roughly bisected by Interstate 35...
and chose a site along the banks of the South Llano River. Others settled in the Big and Little Saline valleys. Two of the Gentry's sons would later be killed, one by Indians and the other during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Bradbury was also killed by Indians during what would later become known as the Battle of Bradbury Hills.
The Texas Legislature enacted legislation on January 22, 1858, creating Kimble County from what was previously part of Bexar County. The new county was named for Lieutenant George C. Kimble
George C. Kimble
George C. Kimble defender and officer of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, was born in 1803 and died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Kimble County in the hill country of Texas is named in his honor....
(sometimes spelled Kimbell), who died during the Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
. From 1858 to 1875, Kimble County was attached to Gillespie County
Gillespie County, Texas
Gillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
for judicial purposes.
Meanwhile, several settlements sprang up along the Johnson Fork of the Llano River, near Copperas Creek, and in the valleys of the James River after the Civil War. Throughout the 1870s, the lightly populated settlements of Kimble County faced raids by Comanches as well as Lipans and Kickapoos who used Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as their base. All raids ceased after 1878. The county also became a popular haven for outlaws that used the areas hilly terrain and dense cedar brakes as hideouts.
On September 6, 1875, Kimble County was separated from Gillespie County and attached to Menard County for judicial purposes.
County organization
Nearly 18 years after its creation, Kimble County was officially organized on January 3, 1876. William Potter was the county's first judge. That spring, the towns of Kimbleville and Denman (quickly changed to Junction City) were founded. Kimbleville was designated the first county seat. During the first district court session, however, the seat was moved to Junction City. Kimbleville soon disappeared largely due to its location in a flood-prone area of the county. Other communities would be formed during the latter half of the 19th century, including LondonLondon, Texas
London is an unincorporated community in Kimble County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 180 in 2000.-Geography:...
, Noxville, Roosevelt
Roosevelt, Kimble County, Texas
Roosevelt is a ghost town located 16 miles west of Junction on Farm to Market Road 291 in Kimble County, Texas, United States. In 1997, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 4343 was designated to acknowledge the community of Roosevelt, Texas.-History:...
, Segovia, Telegraph
Telegraph, Texas
Telegraph is a ghost town on Texas State Highway 377, thirteen miles 13 miles southwest of Junction, in Kimble County, Texas, United States.-History:...
, and Viejo (later Cleo).
Growth era
The population of Kimble County rose from 72 in 1870 to 1,343 in 1880. In 1878, a courthouse was erected in Junction City. The structure was destroyed, along with all of the county records, in an 1884 fire. The replacement, a two-story stone building, was partially destroyed by fire in 1888, but was repaired and remained in operation until the present courthouse was constructed in 1929. The census of 1890 recorded 2,243 people and 279 farms and ranches in the county. The raising of cattle and sheep would soon come to dominate the economy. In 1894, the county seat of Junction City became known simply as Junction.Kimble County continued to grow during the early 20th century. The population in 1900 was 2,503. The 20th century brought many amenities to the county that were previously unavailable. Four Mile Dam was completed in 1904. The first telephone system came to Junction in 1905, and the first banks opened a year later. Electric lights came to Junction in 1917 and gas stations were introduced soon after.
A county-wide bond election to fund the construction of gravel and paved roads was approved in 1919. By 1922, State Highway 27 was a working unpaved road. It ran through Junction, southeast to Kerrville
Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville is a city in Kerr County, Texas, United States. The population was 20,425 at the 2000 census. In 2009, the population was 22,826...
, and west to Sonora
Sonora, Texas
Sonora 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 ...
. State Highways 4 and 29 were also operational. State Highway 29 extended through the communities of London and Telegraph by 1930. All Kimble County roads had been paved by the late 1940s. Old highways 4 and 27 became U.S. Highway 83
U.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...
, Highway 27 became U.S. Highway 290
U.S. Route 290
U.S. Highway 290 is an east–west U.S. Highway located entirely within the State of Texas. Its current western terminus is at Interstate 10 milepost 477 , southeast of Junction, and its eastern terminus is at Interstate 610 on the northwest side of Houston.-Route Description:West of Austin, U.S...
, and Highway 29 became U.S. Highway 377
U.S. Route 377
U.S. Route 377 is a north–south United States highway. Originally created as a short spur to connect Denton, Texas with Fort Worth, Texas, it has since been extended to Oklahoma and Mexico for a total length of 478 miles .-Texas:...
.
Junction was officially incorporated in 1927. In the late 1920s, Kimble County had become one of the state's leaders in the wool and mohair industry. Various aspects of agricultural production continued to dominate the local economy, however.
Unemployment increased in the county during the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
, but the population rose throughout the 1930s and stood at 5,064 by the 1940 census. Electricity was introduced to rural Kimble County in April 1945. In the mid-1940s, the economy diversified as a small amount of oil production was introduced, along with the limited production of sand, gravel, and gas.
Modern times
After peaking in 1940, the population began to decline during the post-war period. Kimble County lost 715 people or 15 percent of its population between 1950 and 1970. A small recovery was registered by 1980 that continued through 2000.Demographics
As of 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 are 4,468 people, 1,866 households, and 1,285 families residing in the county. 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 4 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,996 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.29% White
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...
, 0.09% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.34% Native American
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...
, 0.45% Asian
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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 7.48% 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 1.34% from two or more races. 20.73% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 1,866 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% 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, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,396, and the median income for a family was $34,966. Males had a median income of $24,844 versus $20,431 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 county was $17,127. About 13.40% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.
Other places
- LondonLondon, TexasLondon is an unincorporated community in Kimble County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 180 in 2000.-Geography:...
- RooseveltRoosevelt, Kimble County, TexasRoosevelt is a ghost town located 16 miles west of Junction on Farm to Market Road 291 in Kimble County, Texas, United States. In 1997, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 4343 was designated to acknowledge the community of Roosevelt, Texas.-History:...
- TelegraphTelegraph, TexasTelegraph is a ghost town on Texas State Highway 377, thirteen miles 13 miles southwest of Junction, in Kimble County, Texas, United States.-History:...
Education
The Junction Independent School DistrictJunction Independent School District
Junction Independent School District is a public school district based in Junction, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency....
serves most of Kimble County, including the city of Junction as well as the communities of London, Roosevelt, and Telegraph. The southeastern portion of the county is part of the Harper Independent School District
Harper Independent School District
Harper Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Harper.It is run by Mr. Stevenson,Mr. Harper,and Mr. Eckert...
, which is headquartered in the Gillespie County
Gillespie County, Texas
Gillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
community of Harper
Harper, Texas
Harper is a census-designated place , located west of Fredericksburg on U.S. Highway 290, in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 1,192 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Harper is located at...
. There is also a very small portion of the county that lies within the Mason Independent School District
Mason Independent School District
Mason Independent School District is a public school district based in Mason, Texas .The district serves most of Mason County and extends into small portions of Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, and San Saba counties....
.
See also
- AdelsvereinAdelsvereinSociety for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, better known as Adelsverein , organized on April 20, 1842, was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas.-History:...
- German TexanGerman TexanGerman Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Kimble County, Texas