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KERMIT, TEXAS
"The only town
in Texas to be
named after one of Theodore Roosevelt's Sons"
Winkler County
Seat, West Texas
31°51'14"N 103°5'32"W (31.853995, 103.092336)
Hwys 18, 102 and 302
6 or 7 miles NE of Wink
47 miles from Odessa
22 miles from Monahans
10 miles from New
Mexico
ZIP code 79745
Area code 432
Population: 6,486 Est. (2019)
5,708 (2010) 5,714 (2000) 6,875 (1990)
Kermit, Texas Area Hotels ›
Odessa
Hotels |
Kermit - Home
of Jim Sharp Champion Bullrider
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2010 |
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History in
a Pecan Shell
The county was organized in 1910 and named after
Kermit Roosevelt who had been hunting in the area
shortly before. Father Theodore was still extremely popular
- especially out west.
1910 was also the year the W. H. Seastrunk moved his
house into town. It may not seem like a big event to you, but
it was to Mr. Seastrunk.
A drought in 1916 created an exodus - if you can apply the term
to so few people. By the time 1924 came around, only one family
was left in town - living in the Seastrunk house. The entire county
had one student attending school in 1924. We have no name, but we
can safely assume he or she was at the head of the class.
Kermit's boom occurred in 1926 - the same year as the rise of Wink
and Notrees. The population
soared to 1,000 people and by the time the Texas-New Mexico Railroad
reached the area in 1929 - they were up to 1,500. The oil kept the
economy fairly stable during the Great Depression, but although
the population declined after the initial boom, it rose again at
the end of the 30s.
Kermit got around to incorporating in 1938, and finally got around
to opening a bank in 1945. It was reported that after the bank opened,
there was a jump in mattress sales.
In the 60s, Kermit reached their high population mark of 10,500.
Kermit Landmarks / Attractions
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Historical Marker
(Hwy. 302 East City Limit) :
KERMIT
County Seat of
Winkler County.
Organized in 1910. Incorporated in 1938. Name for Kermit Roosevelt,
son of President Theodore Roosevelt, who had visited a local ranch.
One of the top oil and gas producing counties in state. Ranch center.
Gateway to New Mexico.
(1964) |
Kermit Landmarks
/ Attractions
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The Medallion
Home
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Pioneer Park, Tommy Thompson Rd.
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2010 |
The Seastrunk/
Baird House (c. 1907) in Pioneer Park (adjoining Winkler County Park)
- Oldest structure in Kermit - originally built five miles south,
dismantled and moved into town in 1910.
(1964) Historical Marker Text :
Kermit's Oldest Home
Built by county clerk, 1910. (year Winkler County was organized).
Owned by Mosleys Bairds.
More Texas Historic Homes
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The
Five-Panel Mural
Artist: Alice Leese |
Mural showing
downtown & water towers
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2010 |
The
Kermit Elementary School is a nice example of a public building
in the Mission Revival Style. It is currently vacant and the City
of Kermit would like to use it as a community building of some sort
since its beautiful tile floors and wooden stage offer several possible
uses.
The school district also wants to see the building put to use, but
since asbestos was used in the construction, the problem is not a
lack of cooperation, but how to afford the costly removal. |
Old Style Restaurant
Sign
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2010 |
Kermit the Frog
Water Tower
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2010 |
Kermit, Texas
Area Destinations
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West
Texas Trip from Midland / Odessa
Kermit should be included in any exploration of this part of West
Texas. A nice loop can be made if one flys into Midland
/ Odessa. Towns along this
loop would include Monahans,
Fort Stockton,
Balmorhea,
Toyah, Pecos,
Mentone, and Kermit
- Wink.
Sites and side trips along the way cover each and every aspect of
West Texas life from pre-history to WWII.
Kermit Chamber of Commerce:
112 N. Poplar 915-586-2507
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Kermit, Texas
Forum
Subject: Kermit
Sandhills park is no more
Dear TE, I just wanted to say that the Sandhills Park that used to
be 10 miles outside of Kermit is not there anymore. The land [has
been] divided up among private owners. It was being overused by people
taking dune buggies, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes out there who were
not cleaning up their trash. I think it was the county that decided
to shut the park down and put the land up for sale rather than try
to limit the usage of offroad vehicles. I have heard that one of the
property owners is trying to construct another parking lot on his
land and will charge a small fee for people wanting to park and ride
out there.
Good news... you can still see the miniature oak trees when driving
either between Kermit and Andrews
or Kermit and Odessa. -
Mark Sessing, October 12, 2006
Our thanks to Carla Neal of the Kermit Chamber of Commerce for answering
our questions about Kermit. |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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