Shamrock, Texas
Shamrock, Texas | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 48-67160[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2411875[2] | |
Website | www |
Shamrock is a city in
History
Located in south-central Wheeler County, Shamrock was the largest town in the county in the late 19th century. George and Dora Nickel consented to keep the first
In 1902, the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway set up a station in the town, calling it "Wheeler" like the county, but later changing it back to the original name of Shamrock in 1903, which prompted the reopening of the Shamrock post office. By 1907, the town was competing with the towns of Story and Benonine as trade centers.[6]
The town continued its growth as other businesses moved into the city, including the county newspaper, which moved from Story and renamed itself from the Wheeler County Texan to the Shamrock Texan, several banks, and Shamrock Cotton Oil Mill. In 1911, E. L. Woodley became the mayor of the newly incorporated city. In 1926, the discovery of oil and the operation of natural gas wells by Shamrock Gas Company helped spur the city's continuing growth. A decline in the oil industry caused the population to drop in the 1940s, but it rebounded in the next decade with the improvement of Route 66. By the 1980s, the town was home to an established modern school system, a chemical plant, oil and gas processing plants, and a hospital.[6]
At its peak in 1930, Shamrock had a population of 3,778. Despite some rebounds, the city population continues to fluctuate. According to the 2020 census, the city population has dropped to its second lowest recorded point with 1,789 residents.[6] Despite this, Shamrock is the second-largest Texas city on Route 66, after Amarillo.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), all land.
Climate
Climate data for Shamrock, Texas | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 48 (9) |
54 (12) |
62 (17) |
72 (22) |
79 (26) |
88 (31) |
93 (34) |
92 (33) |
84 (29) |
73 (23) |
59 (15) |
50 (10) |
71 (22) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23 (−5) |
27 (−3) |
35 (2) |
44 (7) |
54 (12) |
64 (18) |
68 (20) |
67 (19) |
59 (15) |
47 (8) |
34 (1) |
26 (−3) |
46 (8) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.56 (14) |
0.84 (21) |
1.88 (48) |
2.19 (56) |
3.92 (100) |
3.74 (95) |
2.17 (55) |
2.27 (58) |
2.83 (72) |
1.92 (49) |
1.17 (30) |
0.83 (21) |
24.32 (619) |
Source: weather.com [7] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1920 | 1,227 | — | |
1930 | 3,780 | 208.1% | |
1940 | 3,123 | −17.4% | |
1950 | 3,322 | 6.4% | |
1960 | 3,113 | −6.3% | |
1970 | 2,644 | −15.1% | |
1980 | 2,834 | 7.2% | |
1990 | 2,286 | −19.3% | |
2000 | 2,029 | −11.2% | |
2010 | 1,910 | −5.9% | |
2020 | 1,789 | −6.3% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[8] |
2020 United States Census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,789 people residing in the city.
Economy
As of the 2021 American Community Survey, the median household income in Shamrock was $38,958.[9] 22.1% of all people in Shamrock live below the poverty line.[10]
Demographics
As of the 2021 American Community Survey, the median age in Shamrock was 36.7.[11]
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White alone
|
1,370 | 76.6% |
Black or African American alone
|
69 | 3.9% |
Alaska Native alone
|
33 | 1.8% |
Asian alone | 23 | 1.3% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 2 | 0.11% |
Some Other Race alone | 146 | 8.3% |
Population of two or more races | 146 | 8.3% |
Total | 1,789 |
2000 United States Census
As of the census[3] of 2000, 2,029 people, 852 households, and 550 families resided in the city.
Economy
The median income for a household in the city was $25,776, and for a family was $33,542. Males had a median income of $24,688 versus $16,944 for females. The
Demographics
The
Of the 852 households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were not families. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was distributed as 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
Arts and culture
U-Drop Inn
In 1936, the U-Drop Inn was built at the intersection of
Pioneer West Museum
The Old Reynolds Hotel, a historic building, was saved from demolition and converted into a museum by local residents. The building with 25 rooms was turned into an exhibition hall with pioneer artifacts, typical objects of settlers, and Native American arrowheads. The exhibits range from local historical objects to a space exhibit to a military history exhibit.
Blarney Stone
A kissable chunk of Ireland's Blarney Stone is located in Shamrock.[23] In 1959, a local organization sent away for the stone to preserve the town's Irish image.[24] Irish resistance to the stone leaving its homeland led to the stone being escorted by guards and an armored truck.
Festivals and celebrations
Two annual social gatherings are organized each year to celebrate the founder's heritage. The annual St. Patrick's Celebration is held on the weekend closest to St Patrick's Day. Irish Craftfest is held annually the first weekend of October at the Shamrock Area Community Center.
Education
The City of Shamrock is served by the Shamrock Independent School District and home to the Shamrock High School Irish.
Infrastructure
Major highways
Notable people
- Bill Mack, singer and songwriter
- Gene Price, songwriter, musician and vocalist; longtime songwriting associate of Buck Owens
- Larry Salmans, Kansas state legislator
- Holice Turnbow, artist and quilter
- U.S. representative from Texas's 18th congressional districtfrom 1941 to 1950
In popular culture
Shamrock was mentioned in the first season of the 2000 sitcom Yes, Dear, episode 13, "Jimmy's Jimmy," when Jimmy's best friend, Billy, reported the rear axle fell off his Subaru Brat in Shamrock en route to California.
Shamrock was featured in Ken Block’s film Gymkhana 10, With Ken driving a heavily modified Ford pickup, doing extreme stunts.
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Shamrock, Texas
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Shamrock city, Texas - Census Bureau Profile". Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Shamrock, Texas Detailed Profile". City-Data.com. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
- ^ a b c Anderson, H. Allen (January 18, 2008). "Shamrock, TX". Handbook of Texas (Online Edition). Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
- Weather.com. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Shamrock city, Texas - Census Bureau Profile". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Shamrock city, Texas - Census Bureau Profile". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "S0101: AGE AND SEX - Census Bureau Table". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "P1: RACE - Census Bureau Table". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- OCLC 51234105.
- OCLC 55482301.
- ^ a b c Degrood, Thomas J. (July–August 2005). "Roadside Renewal". Texas Architect. 55 (4). Texas Society of Architects: 42–43.
- ^ Juozapavicius, Justin (May 2, 2007). "Route 66 Motels an Endangered Species". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ Rhodes, Andy (2004). "The Mother Road: Nostalgia Drives Visitors to Experience Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle" (PDF). The Medallion. March–April 2004. Texas Historical Commission: 10–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 20, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Texas – Wheeler County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Shamrock celebrates St. Patrick's Day in the Panhandle". The Dallas Morning News. March 4, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Drive 66 (East): Old Route 66 Association of Texas". Mock Turtle Press and Old Route 66 Association of Texas. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Tower Station and U-Drop Inn" (PDF). Architexas. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 5, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Shamrock Texas U-Drop Inn". Legends of America. Archived from the original on April 3, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ Preston, Benjamin (June 28, 2019). "Route 66: Where the past slowly reveals itself and antiquity reigns supreme". Roadtrippers. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ Donnelly, Erin (March 2002). "Kissing a rock in West Texas will bring you luck—and that's no Blarney". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
External links
- Shamrock, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Shamrock EDC website