County History

How Scurry County Got Its Name

Scurry County was carved out in 1876 and named for a Confederate general, and the county seat Snyder grew from a buffalo hunter's trading post.

Scurry County History & Culture

The Texas legislature created Scurry County in 1876 from lands that had been part of Bexar County. The county was named for William R. Scurry, a Confederate general. Buffalo hunters arrived in the area around 1874, followed by ranchers in 1877.

The county seat, Snyder, began as a trading post built in 1878 by William Henry (Pete) Snyder, a Pennsylvania-born buffalo hunter and trader, on the banks of Deep Creek. Early residents nicknamed the rough settlement 'Hide Town' and 'Robber's Roost.' The town was platted in 1882 and became the official county seat in 1884. Ranching — cattle and sheep — dominated the economy before cotton farming and eventually the oil boom transformed the county.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Scurry County

More Scurry County notes

Property Tax

Property Tax: Two Offices, Two Jobs

In Scurry County, one office sets your property value and a separate office collects the tax — you may need to contact both.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Tax Bill

If your Scurry County home is your main residence, a homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value and lower what you owe.

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Oil & Gas / Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights Matter Here — Oil Has Run Deep Since 1948

The Kelly-Snyder oilfield in western Scurry County is one of the most productive fields in Texas history, so mineral rights and surface-owner issues matter for anyone buying land here.

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Hunting

Hunting in Scurry County: Deer, Quail, and More

Scurry County falls in Texas's North Zone and offers seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, quail, dove, and other game — but most land is private, so access requires a lease or landowner permission.

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