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Physical Features: On rolling prairie; bisected by Brazos; blackland, red, sandy loam soils; mineral springs.

Economy: Government/services, agribusiness, varied manufacturing.

History: Wacos, Tawokanis, Anadarkos in conflict with Comanches. Cherokees alone in area 1830 until 1835 when Anglo-American settlement began. Antebellum slave-holding area. County created, organized, 1850 from Limestone, Milam counties; named for Brazos River falls.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 51.1; Black, 24.8; Hispanic, 23.1; Asian, 0.6; Other, 1.3; Two or more races, 1.6.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 218; deaths, 178; marriages, 82; divorces, 12.

Recreation: Fishing, hunting, camping; Highland Mansion and Falls on the Brazos.

Minerals: Gravel, sand, oil.

Agriculture: Stocker cattle, cow-calf operations, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, cotton, wheat, oats (first in acreage), goats, sheep, horses. Some cotton irrigated. Market value $135.3 million.

MARLIN (5,780) county seat; agriculture, prison; hospital; museum.

Other towns include: Chilton (917); Golinda (561); Lott (743); Reagan (300); Rosebud (1,364) feed, fertilizer processing, clothing manufactured; Satin (86). Part of Bruceville-Eddy (1,897).

The Church of the Visitation in Westphalia. Photo by Chris Latham (CC).