A Brief History of Lubbock, Texas

Recent evidence has indicated that the presence of humans was existent in the Lubbock area almost 12,000 years ago. The first European in the area was Captain Fancisco Vasquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer who came to the area in 1540. The surrounding area was inhabited by the Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne Native Americans until the late 19th century. Quakers formed the first settlement in what is now northern Lubbock County, and existed for many years. The county was named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock, who was a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Confederate army during the American Civil war.

Two towns known as Old Lubbock and Monterey were established in Lubbock County after various land promotions. The two towns joined and formed the town of Lubbock in 1890, and it became the county seat a year later, bringing in more settlers than before. The popular cattle industry that had developed was in need of sufficient water, which was provided by an expansive system of windmill-powered wells, some of which are still being preserved. When a large amount of water was discovered, the land use shifted from being used for grazing cattle to the farming of crops, mainly cotton. Lubbock was incorporated as a city in 1909.

The city's population, economy, and educational facilities grew steadily. However, this was changed abruptly when a tornado struck the city in 1970, causing an incredible amount of damage. Amazingly, the citizens recovered quickly, and many new municipal improvements were made as well. This trend has continued to the present, and Lubbock has developed in to a prosperous city with a diverse economy and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

If you are looking for more information on the history of Lubbock, you can visit these websites:
http://lubbocktx.usachamber.com/custom2.asp?pageid=2535
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/LL/hdl4.html