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Physical Features: High Plains, many playas, creeks, draws; sandy, loam, black soils; underground water; Palo Duro Reservoir.

Economy: Agribusinesses; oil, gas operations; wind energy.

History: Apaches in area, later pushed out by Comanches around 1700. The U.S. Army removed the Comanches to the Indian Territory in 1874-1875, and ranching began soon afterward. Farmers, including Norwegians, moved in around 1900. County created in 1876, from the Bexar, Young districts and organized in 1889; named for jurist J.M. Hansford.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 51.6; Black, 1.0; Hispanic, 46.5; Asian, 0.4; Other, 1.6; Two or more races, 1.0.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 91; deaths, 53; marriages, 36; divorces, 4.

Recreation: Stationmasters House Museum, hunting, lake activities, ecotourism, Lindbergh landing site.

Minerals: Production of gas, oil.

Agriculture: Large cattle-feeding operations; corn, wheat (first in acreage), sorghum; hogs. Substantial irrigation. Market value $783.2 million.

SPEARMAN (3,403) county seat; farming, cattle production, oil and gas, wind energy, biofuels; hospital, library, windmill collection; Heritage Days in May with rib cookoff.

Other towns include: Gruver (1,184) farm-ranch market, natural gas production, Fourth of July barbecue; Morse (137).

Skyline of Gruver. Photo by Robert Plocheck.