Texas Porch

Local History

The Railroad Moved the County Seat to Mertzon

Irion County started with Sherwood as its county seat, but when the railroad bypassed Sherwood and ran through Mertzon, the county seat followed.

Irion County History & Culture

Irion County was created in 1889 from Tom Green County. It was named for Robert Anderson Irion, a physician and secretary of state for the Republic of Texas. Sherwood was the original county seat. The Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway began service through the county around 1911. It ran through Mertzon, not Sherwood.

Businesses and people moved toward the railroad. Mertzon challenged Sherwood for county seat status in 1927 and 1936. Mertzon won the 1936 election 453 to 222 and has been the county seat since. Today Mertzon sits on U.S. Highway 67, about 26 miles southwest of San Angelo. The old Sherwood courthouse site is a reminder of how the railroad shaped even government in West Texas.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Irion County

More Irion County notes

Property Tax

One Office Handles Appraisals, Another Collects Taxes

Irion County has a separate appraisal district and a separate tax office — they do different jobs, so you may need to contact both.

Read note ->

Water Wells

A Local District Manages Groundwater in Irion County

If you plan to drill a water well in Irion County, you must deal with the Irion County Water Conservation District before you start.

Read note ->

Hunting

Deer Hunting in Irion County Has a Generous Bag Limit

Irion County falls in the Texas North Zone for white-tailed deer, which allows up to five deer per season with a two-buck limit.

Read note ->

Oil & Gas

Oil and Gas Activity in Irion County Is Regulated from San Angelo

Irion County falls under Railroad Commission District 7C, based in San Angelo, which oversees all oil and gas well activity in the county.

Read note ->