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Physical Features: Western county on Pecos River; plain covered by grass, brush; sandy, loam soils.

Economy: Oil, gas, government/services.

History: Jumano Indians in area when Spanish explored in the 1580s. Comanches arrived later. Railroad stations established in the 1880s. Oil discovered in the 1920s. County named for Republic leader Thomas W. Ward; county created from Tom Green County in 1887; organized in 1892.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 39.9; Black, 5.2; Hispanic, 53.6; Asian, 0.6; Other, 1.6; Two or more races, 2.1.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 198; deaths, 134; marriages, 95; divorces, 31.

Recreation: Sandhills state park, camel treks, Million Barrel museum in Monahans, county park, Butterfield stagecoach festival in July.

Minerals: Oil, gas, caliche, sand, gravel.

Agriculture: Beef cattle, greenhouse crops, alfalfa, horses. Market value $1.8 million. Hunting leases important.

MONAHANS (7,312) county seat; oil and gas, ranching; hospital, nursing school extension.

Other towns: Barstow (364); Grandfalls (377); Pyote (121) Rattlesnake bomber base museum; Thorntonville (497); Wickett (523).

The only parking meter in Wickett stands next to city hall. Photo by Robert Plocheck.