Caprock, cotton, and the Ogallala
The Panhandle & High Plains
The Texas Panhandle and High Plains — the Ogallala Aquifer, cotton and cattle, Caprock canyons, and big-sky weather.
45 counties · 350 local notes
Cities & towns
Counties
A taste of the notes
Armstrong County · Property tax
Two Offices Handle Property Tax in Armstrong County
Armstrong County has two separate offices that deal with property tax. They do different jobs.
Castro County · County History
Castro County was named for a French-born empresario, not a rancher
Castro County takes its name from Henri Castro, a 19th-century diplomat and land agent for the Republic of Texas.
Crosby County · Groundwater / Wells
Drilling a Water Well Requires a Permit Here
Crosby County sits within the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District, which requires permits before drilling new wells.
Floyd County · Property Tax
Who handles your property taxes in Floyd County
Floyd County has a separate appraisal district and tax office — you deal with each one for different things.
Hale County · Agriculture & Economy
Cotton and irrigated farming built Hale County's economy
Hale County became one of Texas's leading farming counties, built on cotton, grain sorghum, wheat, corn, and Ogallala-fed irrigation.
Hemphill County · Homestead Exemption
File for a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your School Tax Bill
Texas law requires school districts to exempt at least $140,000 of your home's value — but only if you apply.
Knox County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas activity in Knox County — what landowners should know
Knox County has a history of oil and gas production, so buyers of rural land should always check whether mineral rights are included in a sale.
Lubbock County · State Parks
Several State Parks Are Within a Few Hours of Lubbock
Lubbock County itself has no state park, but Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons, and other parks are within driving range for camping and outdoor recreation.
Motley County · Water Rights
Groundwater in Motley County Is Managed by a Special District
If you plan to drill a water well in Motley County, you need to work with the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates how much water can be pumped.
Potter County · Water
Part of Potter County Has a Groundwater Conservation District
Part of Potter County falls within the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, which oversees well permits and water use from the Ogallala Aquifer.
Randall County · Severe Weather
Hail and Severe Storms Are Common in Randall County
The Texas Panhandle sits in one of the most active hail and severe thunderstorm corridors in the U.S., and Randall County homeowners should be prepared.
Swisher County · Groundwater / Water Wells
Drilling a Water Well in Swisher County Requires a Permit
Swisher County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, and a regional district controls how much water landowners can pump.
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