King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Its population was 265 at the 2020 census, making it the second-least populated county in Texas and the third-least populated county in the United States. King County has no incorporated communities. Its county seat is the census-designated place (CDP) of Guthrie. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1891. It is named for William Philip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.

History

Native Americans

The Apache and Comanche were early tribes in the area. The Red River War of 1874-1875 was a United States Army campaign to force the removal of Natives in Texas and their relocation to reservations, to open the region to White settlers.

Early ranchers preserved water by damming canyons and draws to hold the heavy spring rains. In the 1890s, windmills became the method of water provision. Some of the earliest settlers were Isom Lynn, A. C. Tackett, Brants Baker, and Bud Arnett. The Four Sixes Ranch was established in 1902 by Samuel Burk Burnett. The formerly named Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was organized in 1883, and SMS ranches were established during the same time frame. The 6666 (called Four Sixes Ranch), also founded in 1883, was managed from 1965 to 1986 by George Humphreys, who was also affiliated with the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.

Dumont was formed in the late 19th century. By that time, farmers began to share the land with ranchers. Cotton was the leading crop for a time, followed by corn, sorghum, and fruit trees.

Oil was discovered in the county in 1943. By January 1, 1991, almost of oil had been pumped from King County lands since the first wells were drilled. Much of the land in King County Texas is Grassland, and hilly, broken country, much of which is composed of dark loam and red soils. The county has a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers with temperatures ranging from an average of in January to in July. The county has an average annual rainfall of .

Major highways

  • 20px 20px U.S. Highway 82 / State Highway 114
  • 20px U.S. Highway 83
  • 20px State Highway 222

Adjacent counties

  • Cottle County (north)
  • Foard County (northeast)
  • Knox County (east)
  • Stonewall County (south)
  • Dickens County (west)
  • Haskell County (southeast)

Demographics

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In the 2012 U.S. Senate election, Republican candidate Ted Cruz received 117 votes (amounting to 95.9% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate Paul Sadler received 4 votes, or 3.3 percent of the total.

In the 2014 U.S. Senate election, Republican incumbent Senator John Cornyn received 87 votes (amounting to 96.7% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate David Alameel received 1 vote or 1.1 percent of the total. Libertarian Party candidate Rebecca Paddock received 2 votes or 2.2 percent of the total.

In the 2014 Texas gubernatorial election, Republican candidate Greg Abbott received 90 votes (amounting to 96.8% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate Wendy Davis received 1 vote or 1.1 percent of the total. Libertarian Party candidate Kathie Glass received 2 votes or 2.2 percent of the total.

Republican James Frank, a businessman from Wichita Falls, has since January 2023 represented King County in the Texas House of Representatives as the representative for House District 69. King County was previously represented by then-Representative (now Senator) Drew Springer, Jr., and briefly by David Spiller after Springer's successful election to the Texas Senate. Republican Charles Perry represents King County and Senate District 28.

Economy

The primary industries are raising beef cattle (since the late 19th century), and oil production (since 1943). Corn and cotton are the leading planted farm crops.

Communities

  • Dumont
  • Finney
  • Grow
  • Guthrie (county seat; also a CDP)

Education

School districts serving sections of the county include:

  • Crowell Independent School District
  • Guthrie Common School District

The county is in the service area of Vernon College.

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File:1914 King County Courthouse August 2020.jpg|1914 King County Courthouse

File:George Preston Humphreys monument, King Co., TX IMG 6229.JPG|Monument off U.S. Highway 83 to George Preston Humphreys (1899-1979), the manager of the 6666 Ranch, who also served as King County sheriff from 1928 to 1948

File:King County Courthouse August 2020.jpg|King County Courthouse in August 2020

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See also

  • Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in King County

References

  • King County Profile from the Texas Association of Counties