Reeves County grew from ranching, then oil, in a dry West Texas landscape

Reeves County was organized in 1884, split off from Pecos County. Pecos became the county seat. The county was named for Confederate colonel George R. Reeves. The Texas and Pacific Railway had already laid tracks through the area in 1881, which made settlement easier. Open-range cattle ranching was the first major industry. By 1900 the county had more than 51,000 cattle.

Oil exploration picked up in the 1920s and grew substantially after a major field discovery in the early 1950s. Today the county's economy mixes oil and gas, farming, and some tourism tied to Balmorhea State Park. The county covers about 2,626 square miles. Annual rainfall averages only 10 inches, making water — whether from the Pecos River or underground aquifers — a constant concern for residents and farmers alike.