Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Lubbock County. With a population of 257,141 at the 2020 census (estimated at 272,086 in 2024), Lubbock is the 10th-most populous city in Texas and the 84th-most populous in the United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, in the Great Plains region, an area known historically and geographically as the Llano Estacado.

Lubbock's nickname, "Hub City," comes from it being the economic, educational, and healthcare center of the surrounding region. The area is the largest cotton-growing region in the world and depends on water from the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation. Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University, one of the largest colleges in the state.

History

See also: Timeline of Lubbock, Texas

In 1867, the land that would become Lubbock was home to the Comanche people.

Lubbock County was created in 1876 and named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock, a former Texas Ranger. By 1884, a small post office existed in Yellow House Canyon, and a tiny town called Old Lubbock was built nearby. In 1890, Old Lubbock joined with another town called Monterey, and the new town kept the name Lubbock. Lubbock became the county’s main city in 1891 and officially became a city in 1909, the same year the first train arrived.

Texas Technological College, now known as Texas Tech University, started in Lubbock in 1923. Another school, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, opened in 1969. Today, both schools are part of the Texas Tech University System, which was created in 1996. Other schools, such as Lubbock Christian University, South Plains College, and Wayland Baptist University, also have campuses in the city.

Lubbock was once home to Reese Air Force Base, established in 1941. The base trained pilots until it closed in 1997 and is now a research and business area called the Reese Technology Center.

The city has important places like the Lubbock Lake Landmark and the National Ranching Heritage Center, which show the region’s long history.

During World War II, pilots from Britain often flew to Lubbock for training. In 1951, many people reported seeing strange lights in the sky, known as the "Lubbock Lights." These sightings were studied but later explained as reflections of birds or insects in streetlights.

In 1970, a big storm hit Lubbock, causing damage and affecting many people. The city’s tallest building at the time, the Metro Tower, survived the storm.

In the 1980s, Texas Instruments, a big company, employed many people in Lubbock making calculators, watches, and early home computers.

In 2009, voters in Lubbock decided to allow the sale of alcohol in stores and restaurants county-wide.

The city has a rich history with many changes over the years.

Geography

Lubbock is in the middle of a special area called the Llano Estacado, with Midland to the south and Amarillo to the north. The city covers a big space of 135.85 square miles, most of which is land with just a little bit of water.

Lubbock has a dry climate with cool winters and hot summers. It gets about 18 inches of rain and 7 inches of snow each year. The city can get very windy and sometimes has big storms with hail and a small chance of tornadoes in the spring.

Demographics

Lubbock, Texas, is a growing city with a rich mix of people. In 2020, the city had 257,141 people, making it the 10th-largest city in Texas. Most people lived in urban areas, and about a third of households had children under 18.

The city's population is very diverse. In 2020, about 48% of people were non-Hispanic white, 10% were Black or African American, and 36% were Hispanic or Latino. Other groups made up smaller parts of the population. The city has changed over time, with the number of non-Hispanic white people decreasing since 1970.

Lubbock is an important place for farming, especially cotton, and many jobs come from schools, hospitals, and local government. The area relies on water from a deep underground source, which is being used faster than it can be replaced. People are working on ways to save water and protect the environment.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Every year on July 4, Lubbock hosts the 4th on Broadway event, an Independence Day festival. The event is free to the public and is considered the largest free festival in Texas. The day's activities usually include a morning parade, a street fair along Broadway Avenue with food stalls and live bands, the Early Settlers' Luncheon, and an evening concert and fireworks program. The South Plains Fair is also hosted annually, featuring live music, theme-park rides, and various food items sold in a carnival-like setting. During the fair, many agricultural and livestock contests also take place.

The National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, an annual event celebrating the Old West cowboy, takes place in Lubbock. The event, held in September, features art, music, cowboy poetry, stories, and presentations on cowboy culture and the history of the American West. A chuckwagon cook-off and horse parade also take place during the event.

Monthly cultural events

On the first Friday of each month, Lubbock hosts a free art walk in downtown called the First Friday Art Trail. The event, which has been held since 2004, attracts around 20,000 people monthly.

Music

The West Texas arts scene has created a "West Texas Walk of Fame" within Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza in the historic Depot District, which details musicians such as Buddy Holly, who came from the local area. Lubbock continues to play host to rising and established alt-country acts at venues such as the Cactus Theater and The Blue Light Live, both on Buddy Holly Avenue. The spirit of Buddy Holly is preserved in the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock's Depot District.

Lubbock is the birthplace of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly. The city renamed its annual Buddy Holly Music Festival the Lubbock Music Festival. On January 26, 2009, the City of Lubbock agreed to pay Holly's widow $20,000 for the next 20 years to maintain the name of the Buddy Holly Center. Additionally, land near the center will be named the Buddy and Maria Holly Plaza. Holly's legacy is also remembered through the work of deejays, such as Jerry "Bo" Coleman, Bud Andrews, and Virgil Johnson on radio station KDAV.

Groundbreaking was held on April 20, 2017, for the construction of a new performing arts center, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, a downtown $154 million project that opened in January 2021. Holly Hall will also have concession sites and a bistro with both outdoor and indoor dining.

Lubbock is the birthplace of Mac Davis, who graduated at the age of 16 from Lubbock High School and became a country music singer, songwriter, and actor with crossover success. He also starred in his own variety show, a Broadway musical, and various films and television programs.

The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1946 and performs at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theatre.

The Moonlight Musicals Amphitheater is a 930-seat amphitheater opened in 2006. It is used for concerts, stage shows and other special events.

Tourism

Lubbock sits within the Texas High Plains, an eight-million-acre region that produces 80% of the state's wine grapes. Five wineries are based near Lubbock, providing a significant draw for wine lovers.

The National Ranching Heritage Center, a museum of ranching history, is in Lubbock. It features a number of authentic early Texas ranch buildings, as well as a railroad depot and other historic buildings.

The Southwest Collection, an archive of the history of the region and its surroundings, is on the campus of Texas Tech University, as are the Moody Planetarium and the Museum of Texas Tech University.

The Depot District, an area of the city dedicated to music and nightlife in the old railroad depot area, boasts theatres, upscale restaurants, and cultural attractions. The district is also home to several shops, pubs, nightclubs, a radio station, a magazine, a winery, a salon, and other establishments. The Buddy Holly Center, a museum highlighting the life and music of Buddy Holly, is also in the Depot District, as is the restored community facility, the Cactus Theater.

Lubbock is also home to the Silent Wings Museum. Located on North I-27, Silent Wings features photographs and artifacts from World War II-era glider pilots.

The Science Spectrum is an interactive museum and 58-foot, domed-screen "omni theatre" with a special focus on children and youth.

National Register of Historic Places

• Cactus Theater
• Canyon Lakes Archaeological District
• Carlock Building
• Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway Depot
• Fred and Annie Snyder House
• Holden Properties Historic District
• Kress Building
• Lubbock High School
• Lubbock Lake Landmark
• Lubbock Post Office and Federal Building
• South Overton Residential Historic District
• Texas Technological College Dairy Barn
• Texas Technological College Historic District
• Tubbs-Carlisle House
• Warren and Myrta Bacon House
• William Curry Holden and Olive Price Holden House

Sports

The Texas Tech Red Raiders compete in the Big 12 Conference and have 17 teams in 11 different sports. For men, there is baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. For women, there is basketball, cross country, golf, track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

The football team has been playing since 1925. They have won 15 conference titles and played in 50 bowl games, winning five of the last seven. The men's basketball team has been to the NCAA Tournament 18 times, reaching the Sweet 16 seven times and the Elite Eight twice. In 2019, they made it to the Final Four.

Texas Tech has been very successful in women's basketball. Led by Sheryl Swoopes and coach Marsha Sharp, the team won the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 1993. The team has also reached the Elite Eight three times and the Sweet 16 seven times.

Texas Tech also has 30 club sports, such as cycling, equestrianism, ice hockey, lacrosse, polo, rodeo, rugby, running, sky diving, swimming, water polo, and wrestling. In 2006, the polo team won the collegiate national championship.

Lubbock is also home to the Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian University. Their women's basketball team won national championships in 2016 and 2019. In 2009, the university's baseball team won their second national championship.

High-school sports are also very important in Lubbock. In 2007, the Lubbock Western All-Stars Little League Baseball team reached the final four of the Little League World Series.

Parks and recreation

Lubbock has many beautiful parks spread all over the city. One of these parks is Mackenzie Park, where you can find an old amusement park that is now closed, a special area for prairie dogs, and places to play disc golf and regular golf. The park also has a center with many old windmills to learn about wind power.

The city has lots of other parks too, many with small lakes that attract birds. Dunbar Historic Lake Park is one of the bigger parks, and it has long hiking trails and an old railroad bridge built in 1911. These parks help manage water and are important for the local environment.

Government

Lubbock uses a council-manager government system. The city council, made up of six elected members and a mayor, makes the important decisions. Council members serve for four years, while the mayor serves for two years. The council also chooses a city manager to take care of everyday city business. Right now, there are no limits on how many times someone can be elected to these positions.

Lubbock is part of Texas's 19th congressional district, represented by Republican Jodey Arrington. The city is known for having strong conservative views.

Education

K-12 Schools

Schools in Lubbock are run by several public school districts and other groups.

Public school districts serving Lubbock include:

• Lubbock Independent School District
• Frenship Independent School District
• Idalou Independent School District
• Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District
• New Deal Independent School District
• Roosevelt Independent School District
• Shallowater Independent School District

Private schools in the area include:

• All Saints Episcopal School
• Christ the King Cathedral School
• Trinity Christian School
• Lubbock Christian High School
• Kingdom Preparatory Academy
• Southcrest Christian School

Charter schools include:

• Harmony Science Academy
• Sharp Academy

Higher education

Main article: List of colleges and universities in Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University, founded on February 10, 1923. It is part of the Texas Tech University System and has one of the largest student bodies in Texas. The university includes undergraduate, law, and medical schools all in one place. Students from every U.S. state and many countries around the world attend. The university plans to grow to 40,000 students.

Other colleges in Lubbock include Lubbock Christian University, South Plains College, Wayland Baptist University, and Sunset International Bible Institute.

Covenant Health System offers programs in nursing, radiography, and surgical technology.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Texas, List of radio stations in Texas, and List of television stations in Texas

Lubbock's main newspaper is the daily Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which is owned by Gannett. The newspaper also publishes a full-color lifestyle magazine, Lubbock Magazine, eight times a year. Texas Tech University publishes a student-run daily newspaper called The Daily Toreador.

Local TV stations include KTTZ-TV-5 (PBS), KCBD-11 (NBC), KLBK-13 (CBS), KLCW-TV-22 (The CW, with MyNetworkTV on DT2), KAMC-28 (ABC), and KJTV-TV-34 (Fox).

Texas Tech University Press, the book- and journal-publishing office of Texas Tech University, was founded in 1971, and as of 2012, has about 400 scholarly, regional, literary, and children's titles in print.

Radio

• 88.1 KTXT-FM (College)
• 88.5 K203CB (Christian Contemporary)
• 89.1 KTTZ-FM (Public Radio)
• 89.7 KLTB (Spanish Christian)
• 90.1 KAMY-FM (Christian Contemporary)
• 90.5 KBAH (Religious)
• 90.9 KKLU (Christian Contemporary)
• 91.5 K218DI (Religious)
• 91.9 KPGA (FM)(Christian Contemporary)
• 92.3 K222CQ KLZK (Hip Hop)
• 92.7 KVCE (Religious)
• 93.1 K226CH KTTU-FM (Texas Country)
• 93.7 KLBB-FM (Classic Hits)
• 94.1 K231BE KLZK (Classic Country)
• 94.5 KFMX (Active Rock)
• 95.1 K236CP KFYO (AM) (News & Talk)
• 95.5 KAIQ (Regional Mexican)
• 95.9 K240FA KRFE (Talk)
• 96.3 KLLL (Country)
• 96.9 K245BG KTTU-FM (Classic Country)
• 97.3 KTTU-FM (Sports)
• 97.7 K249DU KTTU-FM (Oldies)
• 98.1 KKCL-FM (Classic Hits)
• 98.7 K254CI (Christian Contemporary)
• 99.1 KLCT LPFM (Religious)
• 99.5 KQBR (Country)
• 100.3 KMMX (Top-40)
• 100.7 K264AN (Sports Talk)
• 101.1 KONE-FM (Classic Rock)
• 101.7 K269HH KKLU (Christian Contemporary)
• 102.1 K271DE KAMY-FM (Christian Contemporary)
• 102.5 KZII (Top-40)
• 102.9 KVIO-FM LPFM (Religious)
• 103.5 KAMZ (Regional Mexican)
• 103.9 K280GU KKAM (Talk)
• 104.3 KHLK (Religious)
• 104.9 KBTE (Hip Hop)
• 105.3 KJDL-FM (Spanish Christian)
• 105.7 KRBL (Texas Country)
• 106.5 KXTQ-FM (Tejano)
• 106.9 KKYN (Country)
• 107.3 KSSL (Classic Country)
• 107.7 KLZK (Hot Adult Contemporary)

Infrastructure

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs an office in Lubbock. The Texas Department of Transportation also has centers in the city, and the United States Postal Service operates post offices here too.

Transportation

Highways

Lubbock has many important roads. Interstate 27 connects the city to Amarillo and links up with Interstate 40, a major road that goes across the country. Other key roads include US 62 and US 82, which run side by side through the city. US 84 and US Highway 87 are also important routes. The city follows a grid pattern with streets named in a special way.

Rail service

Lubbock does not have services connecting different cities by train, though there have been ideas to add them. The city is served by several railway companies, including BNSF Railway, Plainsman Switching Company, and West Texas & Lubbock Railway. These companies help move many different goods, like cotton, grains, and building materials.

Airports

See also: Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport

Lubbock's main airport is Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, named after a local businessman who became a leader in Texas. It is one of the busiest airports in the state and serves as a center for small planes from FedEx.

Intercity bus service

Greyhound Lines runs a station in Lubbock at 801 Broadway, near the Lubbock County Courthouse.

Public transportation

See also: Citibus (Lubbock)

The bus system, called Citibus, runs Monday through Saturday and has a main stop in downtown. Citibus has special buses that can carry people using wheelchairs.

Modal characteristics

Most people in Lubbock drive to work alone, with some carpooling or using public transport. Only a small number walk or use other ways to get around. Not many households do not own a car.

Milwaukee Avenue

In the early 2000s, Lubbock changed Milwaukee Avenue from a dirt road into a major seven-lane road. The city spent a lot of money on this project, which has helped the area grow.

Lubbock Power and Light

Most of Lubbock gets its power from Lubbock Power and Light, started in 1916. As of September 28, 2023, LP&L will start competing with other electricity companies, becoming the first city-owned utility to do so in Texas. This change is set for March 4, 2024.

Notable people

Main category: People from Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock has been home to many interesting people in different fields. In the arts and sciences, you’ll find actors like Chace Crawford and Erik Valdez, writers such as Dan Flores, and scientists like Spencer Wells. The city also produced famous astronauts and professors, including Rick Husband.

In music, Lubbock boasts talented singers and musicians. Buddy Holly was a key figure in early rock and roll, and the city has been home to many country and rock artists, including Mac Davis, Pat Green, and members of popular bands like The Chicks and The Flatlanders.

Politically, Lubbock has contributed leaders such as Jodey Arrington, who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, and former Texas Governor Preston Earnest Smith.

In sports, the city has seen athletes succeed at the highest levels. Ryan Tannehill played quarterback in the NFL, and Trae Young is a well-known basketball player. Other notable athletes include swimmers, boxers, and soccer players who have all made their mark.

Sister cities

Current sister cities

Lubbock has a special friendship with the City of Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. This friendship began in 1983.