Graham, Texas
Encyclopedia
Graham is a city in north central Texas. It is the county seat
of Young County
, and as of the 2010 Census had a population of 8,903.
. The brothers moved to Texas after the Civil War
, and after buying 125000 acres (505.9 km²) in then-vast Young County, helped to revitalize the area, the population of which had become badly depleted during the war. The Grahams purchased a local saltworks in 1872, and after new families started to arrive, began promoting the sale of homesites. A post office opened in 1873, and after Young County reorganized the following year, Graham became the county seat. The town's newspaper, known as the Leader and still in existence today, was first printed in 1876, the same year that the first temporary courthouse was built. Other businesses from these early years included a gristmill
, sawmill
, cotton gin
, a brick kiln
, two hotels, and several stores.
On February 15, 1877 the city was the site of the organizational meeting of the group that became the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
, created to police ranching and put a stop to cattle rustling
. Founding officers included pioneer ranchers James C. Loving (son of Oliver Loving
), Col. C.L. (Kit) Carter, and C.C. Slaughter. A three-story limestone
courthouse was built in 1884, and it was destroyed by fire in the early 1930s. The 1884 structure's east door still stands on the courthouse square. From 1879-1896, Graham was the seat of a Federal District Court overseen by Dr. J.E. Ryus; his jurisdiction extended over all of Texas north and west to New Mexico
. By 1900, Graham had incorporated
as a town, and railroad service began in 1903 when the Chicago, Rock Island and Texas
line arrived from Fort Worth. The town's population grew slowly until 1917, when oil was discovered nearby; the population tripled from 878 in 1900 to 2,544 in 1920. By 1966, Graham had seventeen churches, seven schools, a hospital, a radio station, two libraries, three parks, and two newspapers. The population peaked at 9,170 in 1980 and has since gradually declined; it was 8,716 at the 2000 census and 8,518 by the July 2007 estimate.
According to a mural
on the courthouse
depicting the arrival of the Graham brothers, the town square
is physically the largest of any in the country.
Graham is also one of only a handful of towns in Texas still to have an operational drive-in theater
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²), all of it land.
The Twin Mountains are the dominant physical landmark of the city.
Graham is located near the western edge of the Palo Pinto Mountains
.
of 2000, there were 8,716 people, 3,391 households, and 2,366 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,584.8 people per square mile (611.9/km²). There were 3,904 housing units at an average density of 709.9 per square mile (274.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.39% White, 1.24% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 7.78% from other races
, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.41% of the population.
There were 3,391 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,081, and the median income for a family was $38,118. Males had a median income of $30,221 versus $19,574 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,587. About 13.0% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.
.
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....
of Young County
Young County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,943 people, 7,167 households, and 5,081 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 8,504 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
, and as of the 2010 Census had a population of 8,903.
History
The site was first settled in 1871 by brothers Gustavus A. and Edwin S. Graham, primary shareholders in the Texas Emigration and Land Company of Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. The brothers moved to Texas after 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...
, and after buying 125000 acres (505.9 km²) in then-vast Young County, helped to revitalize the area, the population of which had become badly depleted during the war. The Grahams purchased a local saltworks in 1872, and after new families started to arrive, began promoting the sale of homesites. A post office opened in 1873, and after Young County reorganized the following year, Graham became the county seat. The town's newspaper, known as the Leader and still in existence today, was first printed in 1876, the same year that the first temporary courthouse was built. Other businesses from these early years included a gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
, sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, cotton gin
Cotton gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a job formerly performed painstakingly by hand...
, a brick kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
, two hotels, and several stores.
On February 15, 1877 the city was the site of the organizational meeting of the group that became the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was created in 1877, when 40 Texas cattlemen joined together out of their common interest to end unbridled livestock theft and formed what was to become Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association....
, created to police ranching and put a stop to cattle rustling
Cattle raiding
Cattle raiding is the act of stealing cattle.In Australia, such stealing is often referred to as duffing, and the person as a duffer...
. Founding officers included pioneer ranchers James C. Loving (son of Oliver Loving
Oliver Loving
Oliver Loving was a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who with Charles Goodnight developed the Goodnight-Loving Trail. He was mortally wounded by Indians while on a cattle drive. Loving County, the smallest county in the United States in population, is named in his honor.Loving was...
), Col. C.L. (Kit) Carter, and C.C. Slaughter. A three-story limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
courthouse was built in 1884, and it was destroyed by fire in the early 1930s. The 1884 structure's east door still stands on the courthouse square. From 1879-1896, Graham was the seat of a Federal District Court overseen by Dr. J.E. Ryus; his jurisdiction extended over all of Texas north and west to New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. By 1900, Graham had incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
as a town, and railroad service began in 1903 when the Chicago, Rock Island and Texas
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
line arrived from Fort Worth. The town's population grew slowly until 1917, when oil was discovered nearby; the population tripled from 878 in 1900 to 2,544 in 1920. By 1966, Graham had seventeen churches, seven schools, a hospital, a radio station, two libraries, three parks, and two newspapers. The population peaked at 9,170 in 1980 and has since gradually declined; it was 8,716 at the 2000 census and 8,518 by the July 2007 estimate.
According to a mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
on the courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
depicting the arrival of the Graham brothers, the town square
Town square
A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,...
is physically the largest of any in the country.
Graham is also one of only a handful of towns in Texas still to have an operational drive-in theater
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
.
Geography
Graham is located at 33°6′3"N 98°34′45"W (33.100778, -98.579254).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 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²), all of it land.
The Twin Mountains are the dominant physical landmark of the city.
Graham is located near the western edge of the Palo Pinto Mountains
Palo Pinto Mountains
The term Palo Pinto Mountains properly refers to a specific cuesta-like range of hills in western Palo Pinto County, Texas. The name Palo Pinto roughly translates to "painted stick" in reference to the juniper trees of the 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 8,716 people, 3,391 households, and 2,366 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 1,584.8 people per square mile (611.9/km²). There were 3,904 housing units at an average density of 709.9 per square mile (274.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.39% White, 1.24% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 7.78% 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 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.41% of the population.
There were 3,391 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% 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, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,081, and the median income for a family was $38,118. Males had a median income of $30,221 versus $19,574 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 $16,587. About 13.0% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public schools in the City of Graham are managed by the Graham Independent School DistrictGraham Independent School District
Graham Independent School District is a public school district based in Graham, Texas, United States.Located in Young County, a very small portion of the district lies in Stephens County....
.
Notable people
- Rex BrownRex BrownRex Robert Brown is an American heavy metal bassist. A former member of Down, he is most famous as the longtime bassist for the Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling band Pantera.-Pantera:...
, former bassist for the heavy metal band Pantera - Bob EstesBob EstesBob Alan Estes is an American professional golfer.Estes was born in Graham, Texas and reared in Abilene, Texas. He first played golf at age 4 and decided to become a professional golfer at age 12. Estes attended the University of Texas from 1984–1988, and was a member of the golf team...
, golfer. Four-time winner on the PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America... - Bob LillyBob LillyRobert Lewis Lilly is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.-College career:...
, NFL Hall of Fame Football player - William D. McFarlaneWilliam D. McFarlaneWilliam Doddridge McFarlane was a United States Representative from Texas.Born in Greenwood, Arkansas, McFarlane attended public schools and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville 1909-1914. He engaged in the mercantile business in Greenwood, Arkansas from 1914 to 1918...
, U.S. Congressman from 1933–1939 - Robert McFarlaneRobert McFarlaneRobert Carl "Bud" McFarlane was a National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, serving from 1983 through 1985.After a career in the Marines, he became part of the Reagan administration, and was a leading architect of the Strategic Defense Initiative for defending the United States...
, National Security Adviser to President Ronald Reagan - Dean SmithDean Smith (athlete)Finis Dean Smith is a former American track and field athlete and stuntman, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1952 Summer Olympics....
, 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist - "Big Ed" Wilkes"Big Ed" WilkesEdwin "Ed" Wilkes , known professionally as Big Ed Wilkes, was a popular radio personality in Lubbock, Texas, who combined humor with hard news reporting on his own morning talk show on station KRFE ....
(1931–1998), radio broadcaster, taught school at Graham in the early 1950s