Nocona, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nocona is a city along U.S. Highway 82 and State Highway 175 in Montague County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,198 at the 2000 census.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Education
5 Prominent Citizens
6 Transportation
7 External links

[edit] History

The city is named for Peta Nocona, the Comanche chief. The area was first known to Anglo settlers as the last stop in Texas before crossing the Red River on the Chisolm Trail. It was founded in 1887 along a particular bend in the Gainesville, Henrietta and Western Railway line, which soon became part of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, connecting Gainesville and Henrietta, and later Wichita Falls. Nocona assumed the role of economic and industrial center of northern Montague County, and many older towns in the area, bypassed by the railroad, shuttered and its citizens moved to Nocona. David Graham Gardner owned "The Nocona Telephone Company" which served all of North Texas. Mr. Gardner built up a large part of Nocona in the 1910s-1960s. D.G. Gardner had two children who would make their own mark on North Texas history, Olivia Sue Gardner Parsons (who married N.R. Parsons, the President of Texas-New Mexico Power Company,) and David "Bubba" Gardner. Nocona has steadily maintained a population of around 3000 since the 1940s, though industries responsible for its growth have come and gone. The "North Field", an oil field between Nocona and the Red River contributed to Nocona's economy for much of the 20th Century and continues to do so on a small scale. The MKT line, which was responsible for Nocona's founding, was abandoned in 1969 and the tracks removed in 1971. Nocona also has a proud history of leather works and has been home to Justin Industries, Nocona Boot Company, and the Nocona Belt Company. Nocona Boot Company and Justin Industries have since moved; however, the Montague Boot Company has been established in downtown Nocona making boots for the Larry Mahan line at Cavender's Boot City. Also integral to the Nocona economy is the Nocona Athletic Goods (product names are spelled "Nokona"), which manufactures baseball gloves, bats, catcher's equipment, and other sports accessories. Unfortunately, in July 2006, the Athletic Goods' facilities burned, and production has been moved to a temporary facility. Significant effort is currently underway to revitalize the Clay Street downtown area.

Nocona has a lake approximately 10 miles north of the city appropriately named Lake Nocona, or Farmer's Creek Reservoir. It is a recreational lake popular with people from across north central Texas. On Lake Nocona sits Nocona Hills, an attractive gated lakeside "city" with many homes, a hotel, golf course, landing strip, and other amenities. Nocona is also home to an 18-hole golf course, airstrip (FAA identifier F48), hospital, and one of the finest city parks in Texas.

[edit] Geography

Nocona is located at 33°47′18″N, 97°43′35″W¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 3,198 people, 1,286 households, and 825 families residing in the city. The population density was 437.9/km² (1,134.5/mi²). There were 1,456 housing units at an average density of 199.3/km² (516.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.59% White, 0.25% African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.48% of the population.

There were 1,286 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,893, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $24,868 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,080. About 10.6% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

The City of Nocona is served by the Nocona Independent School District.

[edit] Prominent Citizens

David Graham Gardner: Owner of "The Nocona Telephone Company." Sold in the 1960's by his two children, David G. "Bubba" Gardner,Jr., and Sue Gardner Parsons. D.G. Gardner was born in Acton, Texas on Sept 30, 1874, and his wife, Mable Holland Gardner was born in Arkansas on July 18, 1887. D.G.'s father, Graham Gardner, lived in Granbury, Texas during the Civil War, and fought with "Hood's Brigade." The Gardner's were long time friends of The "Justin" family.

"Jackrabbit" Jack Crain: 1939, 1941 All Southwest Conference and two-time All-American Halfback, Texas legend, and the man who saved University of Texas football in 1939. Mr. Crain also served four terms as a Texas state representative for district 61. Nocona's high school football stadium is named for him. An account of the game that changed Texas football is at Mack Brown's Texas Football.

Herman Joseph Justin: Founder of the Justin Industries. H. J. Justin was born in Indiana in 1859 and moved to Gainesville, TX in 1877. He opened his boot business at Spanish Fort along the Chisholm Trail in 1879 with a $35 loan from the local barber. His boots became known for quality craftsmanship and durability among cowboys. In 1887, he moved the business to Nocona to be near the new railroad. He died in 1918. In 1925, his sons moved Justin Industries to Fort Worth, TX.

Enid Justin: Founder of the Nocona Boot Company and daughter of H.J. "Joe" Justin, founder of Justin Boots. Ms. Justin was a long time supporter of youth programs in Nocona such as the boys' and girls' Little League and the city park. A detailed account of her life and business is at the University of North Texas oral history program.

Joe Hancock: Perhaps one of Nocona's most famous products is not a person at all, but an American Quarter Horse legend. Joe Hancock foaled circa 1925, was raised by John Jackson Hancock, and was trained by Elbert Bird Ogle in Claypool, OK. One of his many claims to fame is having never been beaten in a quarter-mile race. After his racing career, he lived out his days at the 6666/Triangle ranch until he died in 1943. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association's Hall of Fame in 1992.

Stephen Barr: Editor and reporter at the Washington Post for 20 years, serving in the Metro News, Style and National News departments of the newspaper. He currently writes the Federal Diary column, focusing on issues of interest to the region’s 300,000 federal employees. Mr. Barr was born in Nocona, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He served two years in the U.S. Army, including one year with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam.

Charles C. Charlie Robertson: A 1915 Nocona High School graduate, Mr. Robertson went on to play major league baseball with the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns, and Boston Braves. It was with the White Sox that Charlie Robertson pitched one of only 17 perfect games ever recorded in American major league baseball on April 30, 1922.