Brownwood, Texas

Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States.^[3] The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.

History

During the Second World War, Brownwood was the location of U.S. Army Camp Bowie, which had a peak complement of over 80,000 soldiers. Camp Bowie serves as a training camp today at the intersection Farm-to-market roads 45 and 2126.

On 19 April 1976, an F5 tornado struck Brownwood, causing extensive damage, but no fatalities.

Brownwood's census figures were re-evaluated after the 2000 census from 18,813 to reflect more accurate figures of 20,407. The city was categorized in 2003 as a "Micropolitan Statistical Area". The federal Office of Management and Budget has issued a definition of "Micropolitan Statistical Areas" as "an urban cluster of at least 10,000, but less than 50,000 population, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core, as measured by commuting ties."

A dispute over water rights created the adjacent city of Early. The two cities are separated by the Pecan Bayou, one of five major tributaries of the Colorado River of Texas.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²), all of it land.

Water Bodies

Lake Brownwood is located north of the City of Brownwood, TX. The Lake is a 7,300-acre (30 km²) reservoir created by damming Pecan Bayou. There is a wide variety of fish in the lake. Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, White Bass, Stripers, White Crappie, Yellow Cat, Flathead Cat, Perch, and Gar. Camping is available, water skiing, jet skiing, and boating is always great on this central Texas lake. It is also home of the Lake Brownwood State Park, a 538-acre (2.18 km²) park which opened in 1938.

The Pecan Bayou is a major tributary of the Colorado River. Due to the damming of the area to form Lake Brownwood, the Pecan Bayou has a shallow depth and little flow downstream from Brownwood. During heavy rains, the Bayou often floods. It runs northwest to southeast and serves as a boundary between the cities of Brownwood and Early, Texas.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 18,813 people, 7,110 households, and 4,664 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,493.2 people per square mile (576.5/km²). There were 8,169 housing units at an average density of 648.4/sq mi (250.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.74% White, 5.51% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 8.47% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.34% of the population. NOTE: The 2000 census figures were adjusted later to reflect a more accurate figure of just over 20,000 people. The city has been economically designated a Microplex.

There were 7,110 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,325, and the median income for a family was $33,991. Males had a median income of $29,090 versus $18,905 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,158. About 18.2% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.9% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Texas Youth Commission operates the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood.^[4]

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Brownwood District Parole Office in the city.^[5]

The United States Postal Service operates the Brownwood Post Office.^[6]

Education

The city lies within the Brownwood Independent School District and is home to Howard Payne University. Howard Payne University teams achieved national championship status in 1957 and 1964 in NAIA Cross Country, and in 2008 with NCAA Division III Women's Basketball. The Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, a museum with recreations of famous rooms in American history, such as Independence Hall, and a 32-foot (9.8 m) high mural depicting Biblical history, is located on the Howard Payne campus.

Brownwood High School was tied for most state championships in High School football, with 7, the last coming in 1981, until Celina won their 8th state championship in 2007. Gordon Wood, who coached at Brownwood High for a quarter-century, retired in 1985 as one of the greatest coaches in Texas history, with 396 wins. He was recently surpassed by former Celina and Pilot Point coach G. A. Moore.

Transportation

Brownwood is served by the following U.S. Highways: US 67, US 84, US 183, and US 377. The BNSF Railway also serves Brownwood. The railroad was a major player in the development and growth of the city. Brownwood is also served by Brownwood Regional Airport. The airport currently has two runways: 17/35, a 5599 x 150 ft. / 1707 x 46 m asphalt runway (30,000 lb per wheel), and 13/31, a 4596 x 100 ft. / 1401 x 30 m asphalt runway (25,000 lb per wheel). Mostly cargo and private air operations take place at the airport, although in the past Mesa Airlines offered regional connections to other locations.

Famous residents

• Alexis Texas Pornographic Actress was raised in Brownwood.
• William T. Anderson a.k.a "Bloody Bill" was a pro-Confederate guerrilla leader in the American Civil War.
• Candy Barr, stripper, burlesque dancer, actress.
• Bob Denver, the actor who played Gilligan and Maynard G. Krebs on CBS's Gilligan's Island and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, was reared in Brownwood and attended Brownwood High School.
• Jerry Don Gleaton, Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1992 for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Jeff Gore, Cowboy, singer, named the Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists in 1997.
• Graham Harrell, award-winning Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback (2007•2008). was born in Brownwood but grew up in Ennis near Dallas.
• Josh Rosenthal (singer/songwriter), professional singer/songwriter. He was born in Brownwood, but moved on to Benbrook, Texas for elementary school, then Lubbock, Texas for jr. high and high school.
• Boyce House, author, humorist, and radio personality.
• Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan the Barbarian, attended Howard Payne and is buried in Greenleaf Memorial Cemetery in Brownwood.
• Shelby Miller drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Lead the 2009 Brownwood High School baseball team to the Regional finals.
• Jim Morris started a brief professional baseball career at the age of thirty-five; the 2002 film The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid, is based on Morris' life.
• Paul and Paula, or Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson, attended Howard Payne University in 1962. Their song "Hey Paula" was presented on a local radio station as part of an American Cancer Society benefit.
• LaTonne Sewalt, World Champion Barrel Racer in 1950 and 1954.
• Royce Sewalt, World Champion Calf Roper in the RCA in 1946, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee.
• George M. Shelton, Medal of Honor recipient.
• John Paul Stapp, M.D., Ph.D., United States Air Force colonel, was a pioneer in studying the effects of acceleration and deceleration forces on human beings. In his experimentation, he was subjected to 46.2 times the force of gravity. He was one of the principal advocates of automotive seat belts. His preliminary education was obtained at the Brownwood High School and San Marcos Academy in San Marcos, Texas.
• Glenn Strange, who played Sam, the Bartender in CBS's Gunsmoke from 1961 until his death in 1973, grew up in Brown County near Cross Cut. He also played Frankenstein's Monster in the final three Universal Studios Frankenstein films in the 1940s.

• James Neal “Jim” Thomason, was a former American football halfback, part of the 1939 national championship team of Texas A&M University, selected 5th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1941 NFL Draft.
• Clint Walker, star of the 1950s Western television series Cheyenne on ABC lived briefly in Brownwood prior to launching his acting career.
• Phil Wilson, who grew up in Brownwood was appointed by Governor Rick Perry as the 106th Texas secretary of state effective. 2007-2008.
• Drew Womack, country music singer/songwriter. 1997 Top 10 hit with the band Sons of the Desert (band), "Whatever Comes First".
• Tres Womack, Award winning Texas music singer/songwriter. Winner: Song of the Year "Gather Round" 2008 Texas Music Awards, also nominated for Album of the Year honors for "Freak Show". Oldest brother of Drew Womack. Graduate and former Head Baseball Coach for Howard Payne University. Nephew of former Howard Payne University President Guy Newman.
• Gordon Wood, Wood set a state and national record with a total of 396 wins, 91 losses, and 15 ties in 43 seasons as a head Texas high school football coach, an 80% winning record. He won seven State Championships at Brownwood in 1960, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1978, and 1981. On top of that he either won or shared 25 district titles. Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. ^ . National Association of Counties. . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. ^ "Facility Address List." Texas Youth Commission. Retrieved on May 22, 2010.
5. ^ "Parole Division Region V." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 22, 2010.
6. ^ "Post Office™ Location - BROWNWOOD." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 22, 2010.

External links

• Brownwood News
• Brownwood Web - A Guide To Brownwood
• Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce
• City of Brownwood official website
• Brownwood Independent School District website
• The Brownwood Bulletin - Brownwood's Daily Newspaper. The editor of said paper is afraid of Wikipedia.
• Handbook of Texas Online: Pecan Bayou

Categories: Cities in Texas | Brown County, Texas | County seats in Texas | Micropolitan areas of Texas