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Snyder is a town in, and the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...
of Scurry County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,202 at the 2010 census. The city is located in the lower part of the
Southwestern Tablelands The southwestern tablelands comprise an ecoregion running from east-central to south-east Colorado, east-central and a small portion of eastern New Mexico, some eastern portions of the Oklahoma Panhandle, far south-central Kansas, and portion ...
ecological region.


History

Snyder is named for merchant and buffalo hunter William Henry (Pete) Snyder, who built a trading post on Deep Creek in 1878. It soon drew fellow hunters, and a small settlement grew up around the post. The nature of those early dwellings, mostly constructed of buffalo hide and tree branches, led to the community's first, if unofficial, name of "Hide Town". Another early name, "Robber's Roost", is said to owe its beginnings to the sometimes nefarious nature of a few residents and a lack of law enforcement. A statue of an albino buffalo on the grounds of the Scurry County Courthouse in Snyder pays homage to the town's beginnings as a buffalo-trading post. Snyder antedates Scurry County by two years, with a town plan being drawn up in 1882, while the county was not organized until 1884. A population of 600 was reported in 1892, with a school, two churches, a grist mill, steam gin, two banks, and two weekly newspapers being part of the community. Significant change happened in 1907 when Snyder was granted a city charter, and construction began on the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railway. The 1910 census indicated Snyder had grown to a population of 2,514. The
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often referred to as the Santa Fe or AT&SF, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The railroad was chartered in February 1859 to serve the cities of Atchison and Topeka, Kansas, and S ...
tracks reached Snyder in 1911, spurring further growth. Ranching and farming were the primary economic backbone of Snyder through the first half of the 20th century. This changed in 1948, when oil was discovered in the Canyon Reef area north of town. Snyder became a
boomtown A boomtown is a community that undergoes sudden and rapid population and economic growth, or that is started from scratch. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although ...
, as the population jumped to about 12,000 in just a year's time. By the time the boom ended in 1951, an estimated peak population of 16,000 had been reached. This soon decreased to the 10,000 to 11,000 level and stabilized. Although the boom was over, oil still remained a vital part of the local economy, with the Snyder area being one of the leading oil-producing areas in Texas. In 1973, the one-billionth barrel of oil was pumped from the nearby oil fields. An industrial base was established in the 1960s and early 1970s, diversifying the town's economy and making it less susceptible to cycles of boom and bust. Higher education came to Snyder in 1971 with the founding of Western Texas College. The Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder, operated by Western Texas College since 2008, is a large arena which hosts area events. Outside the coliseum is a locomotive engine and a small restored historic village. Also located in Snyder is the Diamond M Museum. Established by local oilman and rancher Clarence T. McLaughlin, the museum houses over 80 bronze works and 200 paintings. Among the collection are works by Peter Hurd and Andrew Wyeth.


Geography

Snyder is located on Deep Creek, a minor
tributary A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainag ...
of the
Colorado River The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. s ...
of Texas. Snyder is about southeast of Lubbock, northwest of Abilene, northeast of
Midland Midland may refer to: Places Australia * Midland, Western Australia Canada * Midland, Albert County, New Brunswick * Midland, Kings County, New Brunswick * Midland, Newfoundland and Labrador * Midland, Ontario India * Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagal ...
, and north of San Angelo.


Climate


Demographics


2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,438 people, 4,360 households, and 2,843 families residing in the city.


2010 census

As of the
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
of 2010, 11,202 people, 4,128 households, and 2,880 families resided in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...
was 1,256.8 people/sq mi (485.2/km). The 5,013 housing units averaged 584.3/sq mi (225.6/km). The racial makeup of the city was 79.00% White, 4.69% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 13.68% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31.8% of the population. Of the 4,068 households, 34.9% had children under 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were not families. About 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the age distribution was 27.8% under 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $42,077, and for a family was $55,567. Males had a median income of $30,033 versus $17,609 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...
for the city was $23,296. About 13.7% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.


Economy

Snyder's economy is based on oil, gas, and wind industries. In 2012, 994 jobs were created in Snyder, leading to 20% job growth in the community, according to the Development Corporation of Snyder. The nearby Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators oilfield is among the largest and most productive in the United States. Snyder is also located within the footprint of the recently-discovered
Cline Shale As of 2013 the Cline Shale, also referred to as the "Wolfcamp/Cline Shale", the "Lower Wolfcamp Shale", or the "Spraberry-Wolfcamp shale", or even the "Wolfberry", is a promising Pennsylvanian oil play east of Midland, Texas which underlies ten cou ...
. Two of the largest wind farms in the United States are located in Snyder area. Other industries in Snyder include manufacturing and cotton. The
Texas Department of Criminal Justice The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is a department of the government of the U.S. state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jai ...
operates the Snyder Distribution Center.


Education

The
Snyder Independent School District Snyder Independent School District (SISD) is a public school district based in Snyder, Texas (USA). Located in Scurry County, small portions of the district extend into Kent and Mitchell counties. In 2009, the school district was rated " academ ...
serves Snyder. The schools are Snyder Primary, Snyder Intermediate, Snyder Junior High School, Snyder Academy, and Snyder High School. Western Texas College, a two-year community college, is located in Snyder. In addition to traditional academic courses, Western Texas College offers several career/technical programs, including communication design, early childhood education, electrical distribution systems, information technology, business management, petroleum technology, radio broadcasting, solar energy technology, turfgrass and landscape management, vocational nursing, and welding.


Notable people

* Kevin Alejandro (born 1976), who starred in '' Ugly Betty'' on ABC as Santos and '' Southland'' on TNT as Detective Nate Moretta, a recurring cast member of the HBO series '' True Blood'', and stars in CBS series '' Golden Boy'' grew up in Snyder * Powers Boothe (1948–2017), Emmy-Award-winning actor who portrayed the demonic
clergyman Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...
Jim Jones in '' Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones'', Curly Bill in '' Tombstone'', Joshua Foss in ''
Sudden Death Sudden Death or Sudden death may refer to: Medical * Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac death, natural death from cardiac causes * Sudden cardiac death of athletes * Sudden infant death syndrome * Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy * ...
'', and Senator Roark in '' Sin City'' is a native of Snyder * Sonny Cumbie (born 1981), head football coach,
Louisiana Tech University Louisiana Tech University (Louisiana Tech, La. Tech, or simply Tech) is a public research university in Ruston, Louisiana. It is part of the University of Louisiana System and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activ ...
. In 2004, as the starting quarterback for
Texas Tech University Texas Tech University (Texas Tech, Tech, or TTU) is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas. Established on , and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the main institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University Sy ...
, he led the nation in passing and total offense. *
Charlene Holt Verna Charlene Stavely, professionally known as Charlene Holt, (April 28, 1928 – April 5, 1996) was an American actress known for her supporting roles in television and film. Early life Holt was born on April 28, 1928, in Snyder, Texas, to M ...
, actress and model, starred in Western film '' El Dorado (1966 film)'' as Maudie, the love interest of
Robert Mitchum Robert Charles Durman Mitchum (August 6, 1917 – July 1, 1997) was an American actor. He rose to prominence with an Academy Award nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actor for ''The Story of G.I. Jo ...
and John Wayne, was born in Snyder * Dick Jones (1927–2014), actor, starred in '' Buffalo Bill, Jr.'' in syndication in 1955 as "Dickie" Jones, and was voice of title character in 1940
Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
film ''
Pinocchio Pinocchio ( , ) is a fictional character and the protagonist of the children's novel ''The Adventures of Pinocchio'' (1883) by Italian writer Carlo Collodi of Florence, Tuscany. Pinocchio was carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a Tuscan vil ...
'', is a native of Snyder * Charley Lockhart, born and raised in Snyder, was a politician - treasurer of Texas from 1931 to 1941, who received national media attention as a dwarf. He was known as "the smallest elected official in the biggest state" *
Brad Maule George Bradley Maule (born October 11, 1951) is an American actor best known for his role as Tony Jones on the American television serial General Hospital. He played the role from 1984 until February 2006. Acting RolesREDEARTH88(Gregory Atkins ...
(born 1951), actor, best known for his longtime role as Dr. Tony Jones on the television daytime drama '' General Hospital'', which he played until February 2006, was born in Rotan, Texas, but graduated from Snyder High School; he was a student of Jerry P. Worsham, who was theatre arts educator for several of Snyder's notable actors and actresses * Dave McGinnis, football coach, head coach of NFL's
Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division, an ...
from 2000–03, graduated in 1969 from Snyder High School * Barry Tubb, actor, was born in Snyder


Gallery

Image:Revised Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder, TX IMG_4550.JPG, The Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder, has been operated since 2008 by Western Texas College. Image:Cogdell Hospital, Snyder, TX IMG 1782.JPG, Cogdell Memorial Hospital is located near Western Texas College in Snyder Image:Ritz Theater in downtown Snyder IMG 4579.JPG, Ritz Theater in downtown Snyder Image:J.C. Cornelius House, Snyder, TX IMG 4593.JPG, This 19th-century pioneer house, was constructed by physician and Confederate veteran J.C. Cornelius. The restored home now serves as a museum.


In popular culture

At the turn of the 20th century, Snyder was rocked by a deadly feud between the families of Billy Johnson and Ed Sims. Gladys Johnson, daughter of banker Billy Johnson, at the age of 14 in 1914, married Ed Sims. The young couple had two daughters, but soon divorced in July 1916. Sims was then shot dead by a Johnson family member. The grand jury in Lamesa failed to bring a
true bill True most commonly refers to truth, the state of being in congruence with fact or reality. True may also refer to: Places * True, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in the United States * True, Wisconsin, a town in the United States * ...
against the killer. Gladys Johnson Sims in the spring of 1917 married Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, whose previous marriage ended in divorce. The Hamers raised four children, the daughters of Gladys and Ed Sims, and two of their own, including Frank Hamer, Jr. Frank Hamer died in 1955, but Gladys lived in their home in Austin until her death in 1986 at the age of 85. Bill O'Neal, "Romeo and Juliet--West Texas Style: The Johnson-Sims Feud,"
West Texas Historical Association The West Texas Historical Association is an organization of both academics and laypersons dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the total history of West Texas, loosely defined geographically as all Texas counties and portions of cou ...
annual meeting, April 1, 2011, Lubbock, Texas


See also


References

12 and 14 have bad links


External links


City of Snyder
{{authority control Cities in Scurry County, Texas Cities in Texas County seats in Texas Micropolitan areas of Texas