Mineral Wells, Texas

Mineral Wells is a city in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 14,820 at the 2020 census. The city is named for mineral wells in the area, which were highly popular in the early 1900s.

History

In 1919, Mineral Wells hosted the spring training camp for the Chicago White Sox, the year of the famous "Black Sox" scandal involving "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Mineral Wells also hosted spring training for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals in the 1910s and early 1920s. The baseball field was located in the center of town.

Military History

Mineral Wells military history dates back to 1864 with the organization of Company 1, 4th Texas Infantry. By January 1925, the War Department approved the site that would become Camp Wolters, the training ground for the 56th Cavalry Brigade of the Texas National Guard.

In 1956, the base began operations as the Primary Helicopter Center of the United States Army that would provide basic training and primary flight training for all rotary-wing aviators. The Vietnam War created an increased need for pilots. To meet the demand, Fort Wolters increased operations to become the training site for helicopter pilots for the Marine Corp in 1968 and the Air Force in 1970. Nearly every helicopter pilot that flew in Vietnam was trained at Fort Wolters.

Fort Wolters was deactivated in 1973.

State Park

Mineral Wells is very well known for the state park which features fishing, camping, horse riding, biking, hiking trails and rock climbing. One attraction is Penitentiary Hollow, a popular rock climbing area.

Geography

Mineral Wells lies east of the Brazos River and Palo Pinto Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.2 square miles (54.9 km), of which 20.5 square miles (53.0 km) are land and 0.7 square mile (1.9 km) (3.45%) is covered by water.

Mineral Wells is west of Fort Worth and east of Abilene.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen climate classification describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the code ''Cfa''.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, the city had a population of 14,820 individuals, residing in 4,958 households, and belonging to 3,329 families. This represents a decrease of 12.54% compared to the figures reported in the 2000 Census.

Government

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Mineral Wells District Parole Office in Mineral Wells. The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) operated the Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility in the Fort Wolters Industrial Park on behalf of the TDCJ. It closed in August 2013. The correctional facility, which had been operated by CCA since 1995, is located on the property of the former Fort Wolters in Palo Pinto County and in Mineral Wells. It can house up to 2,100 prisoners. As of March 2013, its annual payroll was $11.7 million, and it was among the largest employers in Mineral Wells, with about 300 employees. On Monday March 4, 2013, the Texas Senate Senate Finance Committee voted 11–4 to close the correctional facility.Montgomery, Dave.
Lawmakers look to close private prison in Mineral Wells
" ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''. Tuesday March 5, 2013. Retrieved on March 22, 2013. Mike Allen, the mayor of Mineral Wells, criticized the closure, saying, "We'll lose right at over 300 jobs, and 300 jobs in a community of 17,000 ... is devastating. This means a lot to this community." John Whitmire, the head of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said, "We're sitting on about 12,000 empty risonbeds, so it just makes good business sense ... that we not operate it, and we take those savings and plow them back into additional public-safety programs."

The United States Postal Service operates the Mineral Wells Post Office. Zip codes are 76067 and 76068.

Education

Mineral Wells is served by the Mineral Wells Independent School District, and by the Community Christian School.

Weatherford College operates a branch campus on the old Fort Wolters facility.

Notable people

* Barbara H. Bowman, geneticist
* Adrian Colbert, NFL football player for the Miami Dolphins
* Alvin Garrett, NFL football player and Super Bowl champion
* Dan Herbeck, journalist for ''The Buffalo News''; co-author of ''American Terrorist''
* Millie Hughes-Fulford, American medical investigator, molecular biologist and former NASA astronaut
* Curt Knight, NFL kicker for the Washington Redskins
* Shane McAnally, singer-songwriter and record producer
* Amanda Shires, singer songwriter
* Alvy Ray Smith (born 8 September 1943), noted pioneer in computer graphics
* James Vick, UFC lightweight

Gallery

File:Mineral Wells, TX, sign Picture_2222.jpg, Entrance sign
File:Former Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, TX Picture_2224.jpg, Baker Hotel
File:Famous Mineral Water Co., Mineral Wells, TX Picture_2226.jpg, Site of historic Famous Mineral Water Company
File:Crazy Water Retirement Hotel in Mineral Wells, TX Picture_2225.jpg, Crazy Water Retirement Hotel
File:Downtown Mineral Wells 2023 Wiki 1-1.jpg, Downtown Mineral Wells
File:Nazareth Hospital Mineral Wells 2023 Wiki 2-1.jpg, Nazareth Hospital
File:Crazy Water Hotel Mineral Wells 2023 Wiki 3-1.jpg, Crazy Water Hotel

References

External links

City of Mineral Wells

Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce

Historic Mineral Wells materials

Mineral Wells City Directories, 1909 and 1920

''A Pictorial History of Fort Wolters''

Historic Mineral Wells postcards and photographs


Mineral Wells Guide

Mineral Wells Fossil Park, Palo Pinto County, Texas.

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Cities in Palo Pinto County, Texas
Cities in Parker County, Texas
Cities in Texas
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
Micropolitan areas of Texas