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Texas Counties
Texas is divided into two hundred and fifty-four counties, more than any other state. Texas was originally divided into municipalities, a unit of local government under Spanish and Mexican rule. When the Republic of Texas gained its independence in 1836, there were 23 municipalities, which became the original Texas counties. Many of these would later be divided into new counties. The most recent county to be created was Kenedy County in 1921. The most recent county to be organized was Loving County in 1931Bosque County, Texas
Bosque County Education, Geography, and History
Bosque County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the state of Texas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 18,212. Its county seat is Meridian, while Clifton is the largest city and the cultural/financial center of the county. The county is named for the Bosque River, which runs through the center of the county north to south. The Brazos River makes up the eastern border along with the Lake Whitney reservoir it feeds.
Etymology - Origin of Bosque County Name
The county is named for the Bosque River, which runs through the center of the county north to south. (Bosque is Spanish for "wooded")
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Bosque County History
The first survey for land grants in the Bosque Valley came about in 1839. In 1849, a few years after Texas attained
statehood, the first permanent settlers arrived to a territory still roamed by Native Americans. By 1854, the number of settlers living in
Bosque Territory had increased, and Bosque County was created in February 1854 from McLennan County. Meridian was named the County seat.
Handbook of Texas Online
Bosque County was officially formed in February 1854 from McLennan County. Soon a site was chosen at which to
locate the county seat. Erath laid out the town of Meridian in the center of the county on land donated by Dr.
Josephus M. Steiner. Town lots were sold at a public auction on the Fourth of July 1854. Soon thereafter, the first
courthouse, a one-story log cabin, was erected in the middle of town. This building served the needs of the
residents until 1869, when a larger frame structure was built. In 1871 this second courthouse burned. For four years
the business of the county was conducted in a tent. In 1875 the third, and present, courthouse was completed, a
three-story structure of native stone. More at
Kristi Strickland, "BOSQUE COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcb10),
accessed January 23, 2016. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Modified on March 26, 2014. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
Geography: Land and Water
Bosque County is located in Central Texas. The county lies approximately sixty miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth
and forty miles north of Waco. Bosque County is bordered by Erath and Somervell counties to the north, Johnson and
Hill counties to the east, McLennan and Coryell counties to the south, and Hamilton County to the west. State
Highways 174, 144, 22, and 65 traverse the county, along with numerous county and farm-to-market roads; the public
road system comprises 1,106 miles.
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,003 square miles (2,597 km2), of which, 989
square miles (2,562 km2) of it is land and 13 square miles (35 km2) of it (1.34%) is water.
Bosque County is an agrarian area that covers 989 square miles. As a part of the Grand Prairie subdivision of the
North Central Plains, the land is primarily an area of shallow to deep, well-drained soils underlain by limestone.
Around the streams are deep, well-drained and moderately well-drained soils. Many believe that the soil is the most
important natural resource of the county because the life of the livestock and the flora and fauna depend heavily
upon it. Much sand, gravel, and limestone are mined in the county for construction. The alluvial soils of the
riverbottoms promote the growth of elm, cottonwood, river birch, sycamore, ash, pecan, and a variety of oak trees.
The area is also distinguished by clusters of flat-topped hills separated by low areas of flat grassland. Although
many grasses cover the prairie areas of Bosque County, Johnson grass is the most common. Numerous livestock graze in
the county, where sudden outcroppings of white limestone form tall, steep hills or cliffs. Throughout the plains
areas, cedars, oaks, and mesquites are prevalent. The only commercial mineral found in Bosque County is limestone.
In this region of rolling hills, the altitude ranges from 480 to 1,200 feet.
Bosque County is considered a "well-watered" area. The Brazos River borders the eastern edge of the county, and the
Bosque River cuts through the center of the county north to south. Besides the major rivers, there are numerous
smaller watercourses or tributaries, such as Mesquite, Grass, Hill, Duffan's, Fall, Honey, Meridian, Spring, Turkey,
and Mill creeks. Near the northeast corner of the county lies the well-known Kimball's Bend in the Brazos River. In
1951 Lake Whitney was constructed on the Brazos River at the southeastern edge of Bosque County. This reservoir is
used for recreation, flood control, and power generation. Throughout the county, the supply of water is adequate for
domestic use, livestock, and irrigation.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Somervell County (north)
- Johnson County (northeast)
- Hill County (east)
- McLennan County (southeast)
- Coryell County (south)
- Hamilton County (west)
- Erath County (northwest)
Education
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