here

Travel Guide
Moore County, Texas
2014-2015
Cactus H Dumas H Etter H Sunray
Denver
COLORADO
Colo. Springs
Pueblo
Trinidad
Raton
Red River
Taos
Angel
Fire
Clayton
NEW
MEXICO
Corridor to
the Rockies
Dalhart
Dumas
OKLAHOMA
Amarillo
Wichita Falls
TEXAS
Dallas
2
Welcome to Moore County
Rowdy Rhoades
Moore County Judge
We cordially welcome you to
Moore County, an area comprised of
approximately 900 square miles of
the Texas Plains. I was born and
raised here and I think our 900
square miles contain the most prolific
land and the most productive people
you will find anywhere in the entire
country.
At the state level, Moore County is
represented by Senator Kel Seliger,
State Senate District 31, and by Representative Walter T. “Four” Price,
District 87.
At the county level, business is
conducted and decisions are made by
the members of the Moore County
Commissioners’ Court, which in-
Moore County Judge Rowdy Rhoades, center, is pictured with county
commissioners Lynn Cartrite, Len Sheets, Daniel Garcia and Milton Pax.
cludes four commissioners and myself. The county commissioners are
Lynn Cartrite, Milton Pax, J. Daniel
Garcia and Len Sheets.
Moore County:
Whether you are just passing
through or planning to stay here a
while, we hope your time in Moore
County justifies a return trip to us!
‘Moore ’ to exp eri enc e
Dumas, Cactus,
Etter, Sunray
Moore County
County
Moore
( Regional
Regional (
Airport
Airport
3
The Moore County Courthouse
The history of Moore
County Courthouse, at its
present location, dates back
to 1930. It stands on the
square between Seventh and
Eighth Streets, and Bliss
Street and Dumas Avenue
(US Highways 87/287).
Designed by Berry and
Hatch in the Modrene style,
Moore County Courthouse
was constructed of brick
and concrete with eagle ornamentation on the building
corners and additional ornamentation above the third
floor windows and on the
door facades.
The courthouse features
a district courtroom decorated in the Art Deco style.
This third floor courtroom's
style was discovered in recent years, and it was
painstakingly restored. The
restoration was due to the
fact that the courtroom had
been 'modernized' with
sheetrock, a dropped ceiling
and air conditioning in the
1960s. Skilled craftsmen
were able to repair, repaint
and restore the courtroom.
A cabinet maker was able to
replicate the wood found on
the judge's bench for the
railings around the courtroom. Also found was a
company that could reproduce the broken cartouche
that sit atop the fluted
columns. The courtroom also features light fixtures that
are reproductions of the
1930s.
The courtroom, as re-
234 W. First St. • Dumas
806-935-7185
Party
Wedding
Construction
Equipment
Earthmoving
Scaffolding
Surveying
4
Woodworking
Plumbing
Painting
Flooring
Lawn & Garden
Balloons - Helium
Trailers
We Also Have Bounce Houses
stored, is an architectural
treasure from the past, giving both local residents and
visitors a glimpse into the
county's past that future generations would have never
known about had it not been
for those involved in the
restoration project, including
Judge Ron Enns.
Also featured throughout
the courthouse are many
paintings on loan from The
Art Center and Moore County Art Association. These
paintings include oils, watercolors, pencils, pastels, etchings and acrylics and may be
found on all three floors of
the building, making Moore
County Courthouse a mustsee for fans of classic architecture and beautiful artwork.
NewsHPress
This Travel Guide Is A Publication Of
The Moore County
702 S. Meredith • PO Box 757 • Dumas, TX 79029 • (806) 935-4111
FAX 935-2348 • www.moorenews.com • MCNewsPress on Facebook/Twitter
Touch down at Moore County Airport
Just like Dumas and
Moore County, the Moore
County Regional Airport is
continuing to grow and
thrive, meeting the aviation needs of the area.
The airport, which is located just west of Dumas
on US Highway 87, has
grown over the years from
a mere dirt cross-strip to
being home to a 6,001 feet
long by 100 feet wide runway.
The original airport was
located
where
Moore
County Community Building, Moore County Senior
Center and Dumas Demon
Football Stadium are located today (16th and
Maddox). It was relocated
to the area west of Dumas
after the original site was
sold in 1953.
The airport underwent a
construction upgrade in
1981, but the biggest upgrade came just a few years
ago when a runway expansion project took place.
In addition to now offering a runway over 6,000
feet in length, Moore County Regional Airport also offers two types of fuel, AvGas and Jet-A, as well as
1710 S. Dumas Ave.
Dumas, Texas
806-935-4163
an on-site, certified A&I
mechanic, WiFi access and
there is also a 3,000-gallon
fuel truck available for refueling needs.
The airport also includes 26 T hangars and,
according to Airport Manager Brandon Cox, "professional service with a
hometown touch."
Moore County Regional
Airport offers a profitable
alternative to higher lease
rates and stricter environ-
mental regulations at other
airports around the country. In fact, it serves as a
strategic location for aviation businesses to relocate
and expand.
Adjacent to the taxiway,
the Aviation Park has
hangar space that is currently available.
There are plans underway with the Dumas Economic Development Corporation and Moore County to construct a new
hangar.
The Moore County Regional Airport staff and
the Dumas Economic Development Corporation believe the Aviation Park is
ideal for companies that
specialize in small jet fabrication, aircraft refurbishment and/or maintenance, aircraft painting or
cropdusting.
To find out more about
the airport you may call
806-935-6995.
Dumas RV Resort
DUMAS, TX
PO Box 676 • 10650 US Hwy 287
1 Mile south of Dumas (Walmart)
HWY 287 East Side of Hwy
Dumasrvresort@yahoo.com
www.dumasrvresort.com
5
Welcome to Dumas...
Home of the Ding Dong Daddy!
What exactly is a Ding Dong Daddy and Dolly? That is
the question most visitors ask after arriving in Dumas, the
county seat of Moore County.
It all started in the late 1920s when Phil Baxter, a man
who would become a moderately successful band leader and
song writer, happened upon Dumas. He spent a few weeks in
Dumas getting acquainted and after he had a stake, continued his journey. Less than a year later Baxter penned the
words and tune to a song which he named “I’m a Ding Dong
Daddy from Dumas”. The catchy song gained national
recognition when Phil Harris, band leader for the Jack
Benny Radio Show, recorded the song.
Shortly after the end of World War II, a time in which
Dumas grew and prospered, local residents organized and
began operations of a radio station, KDDD. The three Ds
came from the song “I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas”.
KDDD used the song as its theme song and early radio station manager, and late owner, Ken Duke, commissioned an
1201 E. 1st St. • Dumas, TX 79029
Phone: (806) 935-5544
www.fnbdumas.com
Home Loans • Consumer Loans
Ag Loans • Commercial Loans
6
Dumas • Spearman • Perryton
Amarillo artist, Hut Hutson, to create an image for the Ding
Dong Daddy song.
As a result, Hutson created the “Ding Dong Daddy from
Dumas” caricature, complete with a radio microphone. His
radio station copyrighted the caricature and used it as its
trademark. The little Ding Dong Daddy became popular and
in the early 1950s KDDD loaned the logo to the Dumas
Chamber of Commerce for use in promoting Dumas, with the
provision that the logo not be used by any commercial business other than to boost Dumas.
A few years later, the Chamber of Commerce created a
counterpart, giving life to the Ding Dong Dolly from Dumas.
Plastic pins of both the “Daddy” and “Dolly” have been given
wide distribution over most of the world, as Dumas residents
who travel hand out the small caricatures of plastic.
Today, the Window on the Plains Museum has on display
the original artwork of the “Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas”,
along with an autographed copy of the sheet music by Phil
Baxter. Also a copy on tape of a portion of a radio broadcast
interview with the songwriter and KDDD’s Ken Duke made
during
the
Dumas Dogie
Days celebration in June
1957.
So, you can
see that there
really is a
“Ding
Dong
Daddy from
Dumas” and
holding and
wearing
the
“Daddy” pins
gives the owner
an attitude of
being part of
the great heritage of the
Panhandle and
Dumas, Moore
County, Texas.
Dumas’ Texoma Park, located on US 87 in Dumas (W. 1st Street), offers free overnight
RV parking. You may contact the City of Dumas at (806) 935-4101 to learn more.
Dumas’ history can be traced back to the late 1800s. The
town’s namesake, Louis Dumas, began to develop the townsite, which was surveyed and platted on April 22, 1891.
That same year, the first store, a general store, was built in
1891 by J.F. Patterson. The first post office also appeared in
1891.
Car registration began in Moore County in 1908 and in
August of 1909 an agreement was signed to build a railroad.
The railroad finally came in 1931 when the first train puffed
into town.
Moore County’s population remained static from 1910 to
1920. Then the oil and gas boom happened. School enrollment jumped and the population grew.
The city purchased its first fire truck in 1945 and the water
and sewer system construction began in 1946.
Though there were times when the population was little or
none, Dumas survived and has continued to grow over the
years. In 1990, Dumas had a population of 12,871. That number grew to 13,747 in 2000.
The city, which is the county seat, has many parks and an
aquatic park. One city park, Texoma Park, offers free
overnight RV parking. You may contact the City of Dumas at
935-4101 to learn more about this opportunity.
Also adding to the quality of life are a community building,
a museum, a public library, an eight campus public school
system (which includes one campus in nearby Cactus, Cactus
Elementary), a college campus, a senior citizen’s center and
numerous churches of various faiths. The city’s diversity in
business and industry reflects that of the almost 15,000 people
who call Dumas home today.
McDade Park/Dumas Aquatic Park - 501 E. 14th
Morton Park - E. 4th and S. Beard
N. Birge Park - 5th and W. Birge
Parkway Park - Park Drive
Shamrock Park - Hastings and NE 3rd
S. Birge Park - 11th and S. Birge
Texoma Park - 518 W. 1st
Twichell Park - 1500 Twichell
Utley Park - El Paso and Brickey
Phillips Park - 14th and Twichell
DISCOVER
the Possibilities
ENJOY ONE OF THE CITY OF DUMAS PARKS
Jack Hickman Memorial - 2nd and Bliss
Durrett Park - 9th and Durrett
Greenway Park - 100 block of Greenway
124 W. 6th , Dumas, TX 79029 • (806) 935-4101 • www.ci.dumas.tx.us
7
Dumas Points of Interest
Window on the Plains Museum &
The Art Center
Visitors at Window on the Plains
Museum and The Art Center have the
unique opportunity to see Southwest life
through the eyes of area artists and
through windows of history. Whether it
is a special museum display, art exhibits, tours or workshops, there’s always something going on at 1810 and
1820 S. Dumas Ave.
With the recent addition of a 60x120
machinery building, the complex has
grown to over 27,000 sq. ft. Visitors can
learn about the area’s earliest residents
– the Plains Indians. Then, see how early pioneers lived by taking a walk down
a replica of an early Dumas street.
Ranching was an important part of
the area’s history and is shown in a
replica of an early ranch scene and
ranch house and in an extensive display
8
of barbed wire.
Displays and models in the Agriculture and Industry room tell the stories
of what has made Moore County a
strong agricultural/industrial area.
Featured in the Machinery Building
are vintage tractors and other agriculture equipment, some horse-drawn vehicles, a 1925 Model T Ford, a 1915
grain truck, a 1952 fire truck, a chuck
wagon and three wooden windmills.
A quarter mile walking trail winds
among vintage farming equipment, fire
trucks, an airplane and other county
equipment.
Each month The Art Center features
an area artist with a reception and display of art work. “Paint Day” is every
Tuesday where members come to work
on their art projects. Workshops are
held five to six time annually and are
taught by well-known artists. A woodcarving group meets every Tuesday
night, a quilting group each Monday
night, another quilting group once a
month and a card-making group one
Saturday a month.
A stop at this unique center is one
that shouldn’t be missed. There is no
admission charge, but donations are accepted.
Both places are open from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Cowboy Classic Rodeo
Association
An annual rodeo event
held at Moore County Rodeo
Arena in Dumas.
Lions Club Arts/Crafts Festival
Dumas Aquatic Park
The first weekend in October annually, the Dumas Noon
Lions Club hosts these events.
Located at 501 E. 14th in McDade Park, the multi-million
dollar aquatic park features two water slides, an Olympicsized pool, children’s play area and splash pads.
MEMORIALS
9/11 Twin Towers Memorial
Located at Dumas Junior High, 5th and Maddox
Veterans Memorial
Located at McDade Park, 16th and Durrett
Ten Commandments, McKee Refinery Disaster
Memorial and
Military/Civilian Service
Marker
Located at Moore County Courthouse, 7th and Dumas Ave.
Pheasant Trails Golf Course
Located northeast of Dumas and rated HHH by Golf Digest, offers a great golfing express. It is an 18 hole course with
great greens. For fee information call 806-935-7375.
Dogie Days Celebration
An annual June event of the Dumas Noon Lions Club, Dogie Days includes a carnival midway (Wed-Sat), a Thursday
barbecue luncheon at McDade Park and each year a new vehicle is given away Saturday night on the midway. Saturday
morning of Dogie Days, the chamber sponsors a parade down
Dumas Ave.
Home Decor
Clothing • Jewelry
Novelties
Gift Baskets
Greeting Cards
Floral Arrangements
8
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34
4--3
30
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6
432 East 1st • Dumas
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9
Welcome to Sunray
A Message From
City Manager Greg Smith
Welcome to Sunray!
Home of the fighting Bobcats and Ladycats, the
world’s longest country
grain elevator, and Treasure
Island Water Park. Born
out of oil and agriculture,
Sunray remains a small rural community with close
ties to those industries.
Many of our residents are
employed in grain, cotton,
livestock, oil, natural gas,
wind energy or the numerous companies that service
those industries. Diversification and value-added enterprises have kept our local
economy strong.
The community has also
done well providing products and services to our residents. Restaurants, financial institutions, a furniture
and appliance store, gift
and clothing shops, discount store, grocery store,
and a farm and home center provide most locals’
needs. Come shop with us
— you may be surprised.
City, school and county
government, along with our
local organizations, work
together often to enhance
opportunities for our citizens. With strong community support, elected officials
focus on providing quality
services while looking to the
Furniture F Appliances
Carpet FTelevisions
Ashley F Riverside
LG F Best
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KitchenAid
806.948.4128
315 Main F Sunray, Texas
www.broxsons .com
10
future. Our school district
has begun a multi-million
dollar expansion/renovation to improve both campuses while the City is completing a major wastewater
plant renovation. Moore
County recently renovated
its Britain Memorial Library and constructed the
Justice of the Peace/Municipal Court building on the
city square. Sunray Community Park was a collaboration of numerous individuals and organizations. The
result was a lighted ballpark, lighted walking trail
and playground, and a water park with 20’ slides and
a pirate ship that has become a popular attraction
throughout the region.
If you’re looking for a
safe and comfortable community to raise a family, I
urge you to consider Sunray. Our cost of living is
low, our business environment strong, our real estate
market healthy, and our
community’s focus on our
youth is second to none. If
not, I still invite you to stop
by for a visit. I know you’ll
be glad you did.
The history of Sunray
The City of Sunray, originally known as Altman, came
into existence in 1930. The community was founded by
Jack Collins, who was well-known in ranching and financial circles. When it was discovered that Rusk County
already held claim to that name, the name Sunray was
chosen. The name came from Sunray Oil Company,
which set up a refinery near the town.
Helping to sustain the city is agriculture and petroleum industries. Sunray is also home to Sunray Coop, with
the world’s largest country elevator. Today, there are locally-owned businesses such as restaurants, a bank, a
furniture and hardware store, gift shop, grocery store,
convenience stores, farm and ranch store and several
other businesses. Coupled with its businesses, Sunray also features a good quality of life, a safe environment and
a strong school system, according to City Manager Greg
Smith.
Sunray is home to a municipal airport, several
churches of various faiths and an active Lions Club that
sponsors the annual Sunray Funday celebration each
summer, which features a barbecue lunch, a parade, vendor booths and more.
Smith says, “It is a great community to be a part of
and we want to continue to build on our past success.”
S u n r ay Me m o ri a l P l a z a
The plaza, located in
front of city hall on
Main Street, features a
monument for the eight
Sunray Volunteer Fire
Fighters who died in the
1956
Diamond
Shamrock explosion/fire
as well as a monument
for other Sunray area
residents killed in the
line of duty.
S u nr a y Fu n d a y
Each August, the Sunray
Lions Club welcomes residents of Sunray and the surrounding area to the Sunray
Funday celebration. The
event includes a parade, a
barbecue at the park and a
day full of vendor booths,
entertainment, fun, games.
and a mud volleyball tournament.
Treasure Island Water Park
Located at 700 E. 7th St. in Sunray is a 7,500 square foot
zero depth entry pool complete with two 20 foot tall water
slides, palm trees, the U.S.S. Bobcat pirate ship, a whale
slide, water volleyball, and much more for sun worshippers.
Treasure Island is part of Sunray Community Park.
C it y P a rk s
Planter Park, located at 200 W. 10th; Sunray Community
Park, located at 700 E. 7th
11
201 S. Hwy 287 H Cactus Texas 79013
806-966-5458
Aldo Gallegos: City Manager
Socorro Marquez: Mayor
Juan Gomez: Public Works Director
Christina Hernandez: City Secretary
Council Members: Rene Davila,
Raul Ceniceros, Lorenzo Castañeda,
Armando Venzor, Rene Aguilar.
12
Welcome to Cactus & Etter
The history of the communities of Cactus and Etter date
back to the early 1900s. It was then that the first post office
in the area was opened, named Kong for reasons unknown.
While the histories of these two communities dates back
over 100 years, Cactus was not an incorporated city until a
1968 election by a vote of 50-3.
Though not officially incorporated until many years later, the Cactus-Etter area boasted a larger population than
that of neighboring Dumas in the 1940s. Helping to grow
the population was the Cactus Ordinance Works, which
was secured in 1941, and capitalized on the oil and gas-rich
area.
There are many notable events in Cactus’ history include
the building of a major meat packing plant in 1974, construction of a new post office in 1975, construction of a tannery in 1977, the building of the first city hall in 1979 and
the construction of a community building in 1984-85. Today
that building is used as a branch of the YMCA of Moore
County.
In April of 2007, Cactus was struck by a mile-wide EF2
tornado that injured several and damage and/or destroyed
about 1/4 of the town. Cactus has shown its ability to overcome adversity in the rebuilding period that followed.
Most recently, Cactus completed a remodel of its city
hall and fire department, along with purchasing a new fire
truck.
The population of Cactus has grown very quickly over
the past few decades. The city had just 644 residents in 1970
and, in 1990, there were 1,529 people who called the city
home. The latest census estimates show the population to be
3,186.
“No matter if you’re the cleanup guy or the
plant manager you have to love what you
do to be successful and I love what I do!.”
-Areli Diaz Kill Floor Superintendent
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13
C a c tu s C it y P a r k s
Cactus Park may be found at 403 Cherry
C ac t u s P l a ya L ak e
Cactus is home to three city parks for the enjoyment of
community members and visitors:
Castro Park is located at 109 South Drive
Stone Park is located at 340 Poplar
BRING
The area is also home to Cactus Playa Lake which is a
often home to various types of waterfowl and you may even
spot our national bird from time to time. The playa is located on FM281 east of Cactus.
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Dumas High School Wall of Honor
Dumas High School pays tribute each year to the individuals who have made a difference in the athletic program
over the years.
In the fall of 2011, the inaugural Wall of Honor ceremony
took place and inductees included Ray McCowan, Kelly
Baker, Norman Bonner, Mike Boxwell and Jerry Glover.
The following year, the Wall of Honor welcomed several
more honorees including Joe Pat Mowery, Bill Lackey, Joe
Ballard, Burl Bartlett and Bill Spann.
The 2013 honorees inlcuded Jack Jameson from the Demon Barber Shop and Gary Ward, former longtime coach
and teacher at DHS. He was one of the coaches on staff during Dumas’ state championship run in the 1960s.
In the fall of 2014,
Wall of Honor recipients
Bryan Millard, the late
Adam Crownover and
Astolfo Venzor were recognized.
Millard played for the
Dumas Demons from
1977-1979 under head
coach Don Barton. He
also set a school record
in shot put and won the
state championship in
that event. He went on to
play for the Texas Longhorns and the Seattle Seahawks.
Crownover, who lost his life in a terrible accident, played
from 1994-1996 under coach Brent McCallie. He led the district in rushing with 1,575 yards and scored 134 points. He
also holds the record for yardage with 1,965 yards.
Venzor played for coach Brent McCallie from 1995-1997.
He holds a number of school records including most TDs in
a season, most rushing yards in a single game and longest
H 806-930-2936 H
rush from scrimmage. He went on to
play college ball at
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
and arena football
for the Amarillo Venom. Venzor also
served his country in
the United States
Marine Corps from
1999 to 2003.
These three players find it an honor
and privilege to be a
Demon football player. They each set
standards and ideals
that have helped
make it special to be
a Dumas Demon.
Above are those who accepted Wall
of Honor recognition at the 2014 induction ceremony. From left are Rebecca Crownover, wife of the late
Adam Crownover, Acie Crownover,
who accepted for her father, Astolfo
Venzor and Bryan Millard.
Custom
Made
Boots
401 East 7th • Dumas TX 79029
15
Dumas Education Foundation
Dumas Education Foundation (DEF) is dedicated to
supporting students and
teachers in the Dumas Independent School District.
DEF Inc. solicits, manages
and distributes funds to enhance the quality of education in Dumas.
The goals of DEF include
encouraging academic excellence in Dumas schools
by providing funding not
available through other
sources; to build public confindence in our school; to
put public back in public
schools; to involve the community in the support and
improvement of the quality
of education; and to promote and publicize the
strength of Dumas schools.
DEF, Inc. received its
Above, left, bricks line the walkway at DHS. Above, right, a teacher grant is presented.
non-profit status in Decem- dents wishing to seek a high- are being sold to place in the
ber 1994. Since 1994, DEF er level of education.
plaza. Also, a Giving Tree
has distributed funds to the
Qualifying students grad- has been placed on the wall
Grants-To-Teacher
pro- uating from Dumas High inside the Larry D. Appel
gram. This program is de- are given the opportunity to Lecture Hall at Amarillo
signed to support innovative take advantage of DEF’s College Moore County Camprojects and creative teach- QUEST program, which pus where donors may puring approaches.
pays for the first two years chase leaves on the tree.
Since 1994, the Scholar- of college education. QUEST
Learn more by following
ship Program has distrib- is paid for through DEF the DEF link on the Moore
uted hundreds of thousands fundraisers such as Demon County News-Press’ website,
of dollars in funds to stu- Plaza at DHS where bricks www.moorenews.com.
Central Administration Offices
421 W. 4th. St. • 806-935-6461 Phone • 806-935-6275 Fax • www.dumas-k12.net
Dumas High Scho ol
Sunset
E lementary
18
D umas Jr. High School
Cactus
Element ary
Dumas Intermediate School
H illcrest Element ary
M orn ingsi de
El ement ar y
North Plains
Opportunity Center
Green Acres
Element ary
Amarillo College Moore County Campus
Education is very important to Moore County’s
success. Amarillo College
Moore County Campus is
working and growing to
meet the higher education
needs for students and local businesses/industries.
Amarillo College Moore
County Campus has been a
part of the local community for many years, and in
the fall of 2013 the college
strengthened its commitment to education with the
opening of a new career
and technical center.
The new center, which
was constructed on approximately 11 acres of land donated to the college by the
Dumas Economic Development Corporation, is located at the intersection of US
Highway 287 and Success
Boulevard in the Dumas
Industrial Park.
The Career and Technical Center will consist of
about 30,000 square feet of
space and house classrooms, labs and shops that
support the inclusion of career and technical programs into the expanding
mission of AC Moore
County Campus.
Campus staff are proud
of the fact that students
who
live
in
the
Dumas/Moore County area
are able to receive quality
technical training in their
own back yards while area
employers can look forward to a trained and willing workforce.
There are many educa-
Amarillo College Moore County Campus Career and
Technical Center, located in the Dumas Industrial
Park, at US Highway 287 and Success Blvd.
tional opportunities thanks
to the new center including
program certificates in numerous fields such as renewable energy, industrial
maintenance, electronics,
HVAC and instrumentation
as well as others.
Amarillo College Moore
County
Campus
also
parters with Dumas Education Foundation for the
QUEST program,
which
provides the first two years
of college at AC at no cost to
qualifying students.
Amarillo College invested $4.6 million in the new
center, funded by revenue
bonds.
19
Window on the Plains Museum
1820 S. Dumas Avenue
806-935-3113
Full Service Lending & Depositing Services
7th & Bliss • Dumas, TX
806-935-7161
302 Denrock • Dalhart, TX
806-249-8561
Roger’s
Health Mart
Pharmacy
1021 E. 1st St. • Dumas
806-935-7494
Blessings From
Above Boutique
Home Decor • Clothing • Jewelry
Novelties • Gift Baskets
Floral Arrangements
1525 S. Dumas Ave. • (806) 935-4000
DUMAS
The Art Center
1810 S. Dumas Avenue
806-935-5312
Nana’s
Kitchen
Free
Wi-Fi
Espresso - Coffee
806-935-4306
902 S. Dumas Ave.
H
H H
H
432 East 1st • Dumas
H
806-934-3016
Dumas
Independent
School District
421 W. 4th. St.
806-935-6461
www.dumas-k12
dumas-k12.net
803 S. Bliss • 935-7364
adrem@adremland.com
www.adremland.com
124 W. 6th • (806) 935-4101
www.ci.dumas.tx.us
813 S. Dumas Avenue
Dumas, TX 79029
806-935-4333
Anything Less Won’t Cut It.
H
H
H
H
H
H
-
Hospital
City Hall
Police
Courthouse
Visitor Center
Fire Station
20
224 E. 2nd,
Dumas, TX
806-935-7171
Exceptional Care
. . . Always!
MAIN ST.
sweets & decor
505 N. Dumas
Dumas, TX 79029
(806) 935-0325
900 N. Dumas Ave.
806-934-3332
616 East 1st
Dumas, Texas 79029
(806) 935-2863 Office
mill
W i n da l t y
Re
P a t t y ’ss A l t e r a t i o n s
& Cleaners
1601 S. Bliss
Dumas TX 79029
Phone: 806-935-7007
Let Us Serve You!
806-935-6814
McKee Refinery
DUMAS
H
KOUNTRY
DONUTS
217 N. Dumas Ave.
806-935-2238
(806) 935-2095
219 N. Dumas Ave. • Dumas, TX
Open 10am-9pm Monday-Saturday
Closed on Sundays
Moore County
Dumas
Sunray
Cactus
Etter
INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
200 E. 1st. St. • Dumas
806-935-4191
© OpenStreetMap contributors.
Data is available under the
Open Database License, and
the cartography is licensed as
CC BY-SA.
21
TEXAS • KANSAS • OKLAHOMA
NewsHPress
(806) 935-4111 • www.moorenews.com
The Moore County
1201 E. 1st St. • Dumas, TX 79029
Phone: (806) 935-5544
www.fnbdumas.com
1901 S. Dumas Ave. • 806-935-2123
Tex/Mex
Restaurant
12099 US Hwy 287 • Cactus
(806) 966-6406
CACTUS
H - City Hall
H - Police
H - Fire Station
22
806-966-5458
5950 Trails End Road • Cactus, TX 79013
(806) 966-9420
201 S. Hwy 287 H Cactus
H
H
H
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Data is available under
the Open Database License, and the cartography is
licensed as CC BY-SA.
806.948.4128
315 Main F Sunray, Texas
www. broxsons .com
SUNRAY
H
H
H
H - City Hall
H - Police
H - Fire Station
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Data is
available under the Open Database
License, and the cartography is licensed
as CC BY-SA.
23
Climate Information
The weather in Dumas and Moore County is mild, with
four distinct seasons, and as hospitable to wildlife as it is to
people. We're located in the High Plains region of Texas, a
place with relatively little precipitation, sunny skies, and a dry
climate conducive to good health. Immediately east of town
the landscape gives way to the rolling, rough, scenic terrain of
the Canadian River breaks. Sunsets and prairie sky landscapes here will take your breath away, and you'll see colors
in the firmament that leave an indelible imprint.
What Dumas lacks in rainfall it makes up for by its location atop the Ogalalla Aquifer. This underground reservoir
has helped make Moore County and the surrounding region
the most productive agricultural region in the world. The
even climate is perfect for a wide variety of crops, and for
large-scale animal feeding operations.
Annual Average Temperature - 56.9° F
Average Hi/Low Temperature January - 49° F / 21.2°
Average Hi/Low Temperature July - 91.7° F / 65.6° F
Annual Average Precipitation - 19.56"
Annual Average Snowfall - 15.00"
Days of Sunshine - 146
Possible Percent of Days of Sunshine - 83%
is Moore
2015 DATES TO HAVE FUN IN MOORE COUNTY:
June 10-13
Dogie Days
July 4
World’s Championship Mud
Volleyball Tournament
July 23-28
Babe Ruth Boys Baseball
Regional Tournament
August 7-8
D’Town BBQ Cook-Off
August 15
Sunray Funday
Cowboy Classic Rodeo
August 14-15
24
1901 S. Dumas Ave. • 806-935-2123
www.dumaschamber.com
dumaschamber
Moore County, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau
estimates, has a population of 21,954. Moore County is named
for Edwin Ward Moore, the commander of the Texas Navy.
The county seat is Dumas, which is named for Louis Dumas,
originally from the Sherman, Texas, area.
Local
Healthcare
1 Hospital - Level IV trauma center (Memorial Hospital
operated by Moore County Hospital District)
1 Family health clinic with 3 mid-level providers
19 Doctors (this figure includes family medicine, internal
medicine, OBGYN, podiatry, surgical, radiology, anesthesia and hospitalists)
1 Dialysis Center
3 Physical Therapy Centers
1 Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
3 Chiropractors
6 Dentists – includes 4 companies
3 Optometrists – includes 2 companies
2 Home health providers
1 Hospice provider
1 Drug testing center
Labor Statistics
The Texas Panhandle region is fortunate to be able to
claim it has an unemployment rate significantly lower than
that of the rest of the State of Texas and the United States.
Of the almost 95,000 people in the area civilian labor force
in September 2014, only 3.89 percent were unemployed.
Below is a listing of Moore County and its neighboring
counties showing the civilian labor force, number unemployed and unemployment rates for September 2014:
County
Name
Sept. 2014
Labor Force
Sept. 2014
# Unemp.
Sept. 2014
Unemp. rate
Moore
Carson
Dallam
Hansford
Hartley
Hutchinson
Oldham
Potter
Sherman
11,725
3,174
3,629
2,886
2,674
11,963
1,107
56,453
1,355
404
97
107
88
100
443
37
2,363
51
3.45%
3.06%
2.95%
3.05%
3.74%
3.70
3.34%
4.19%
3.76%
Total
94,966
3,690
3.89%
As a whole, the Sept. 2014 report indicates a civilian labor
force of 94,966. The Sept. 2014 unemployment rate was 3.61
percent for the entire Panhandle WDA.
Below is a listing of local, state and national statistics
showing the September 2014 Civilian Labor Force, the September 2014 number unemployed and the unemployment
rate.
Pan. WDA
Texas
US
Sept. 2014
Labor Force
Sept. 2014
# Unemp.
Sept. 2014
Unemp. rate
224,689
13,044,241
155,903,000
8,116
654,455
8,962,000
3.61%
5.02%
5.75%
* Panhandle WDA is Workforce Development Area in the
Texas Panhandle
Sources:
Texas Workforce Commission, National Decision Systems,
Dumas Economic Development Corporation
DEANA HOULETTE, CRB, GRI, Broker/Owner
Restaurant
& Sports Bar
1621 S. Dumas Ave.
935-0287
Pick-Up And Delivery Available
Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
www.287roadhouse.net
Paul Moreno, Agent; Neoma Wyatt, Agent;
Jill Hebert, Agent
616 East 1st
Toll Free: (866) 935-2863
Dumas, Texas 79029
Fax: (806) 935-7021
(806) 935-2863 Office
Cell: (806) 922-6863
www.houletterealestate.com
We’ve served Dumas for the past 35 years
25
Major Employers
COUNTY’S
LARGEST
SERVICE
EMPLOYERS
This list includes name of
employer,
product/service
provided and number of fulltime
employees/part-time
employees:
Dumas Independent School District — Education
Moore County Hospital District — Medical
Walmart Super Center — Discount store
Moore County - Municipal Services
City of Dumas — Municipal services
Sunray Independent School District — Education
Ag Producers Co-Op — Farming Co-Op
Blueknight Energy Partners — Oil /gas tank svc
708/0
260 / 2
142 / 87
140 / 8
115 / 22
94 / 3
103 / 15
56 / 0
Information Source: Dumas Edonomic Development Corporation
INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
TEN LARGEST
INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYERS
This list includes employer, product/service provided along
with the number of full-time employees:
JBS - Beef slaughtering and prefabrication
Valero — Chemicals/Refinery
Faria Dairy — Dairy
Venable’s - Welding & Roustabout
Dynamic Industries — Welding and maintenance
Pioneer Natural Resources — Gas
Cactus Feeders — Cattle feeding
Regency Energy Partners — Oil & Gas
Mission Petroleum — Crude Oil
Texas Beef — Cattle Feeding
3,114
487
230
163
100
94
56
50
49
38
Market Access
Information Source: Dumas Edonomic Development Corporation
Amarillo
Austin
Corpus Christi
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
Lubbock
San Angelo
San Antonio
Waco
Wichita Falls
47
529
697
410
462
387
649
169
346
553
474
272
Colorado Springs
Denver
315
358
Kansas City
Topeka
Wichita
507
435
324
Enid
Lawton
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
295
213
289
379
Albuquerque
Santa Fe
308
299
Auto • Home • Motorcycle • RV • Farm & Ranch
Multi-peril • Commercial
26
Kirk Pope, Agent
200 E. 1st. St. • Dumas, Texas 79029
806-935-4191 • Residence: 806-935-7757
E-mail: kirk@stidhamins.com
Tax Information
Property in Dumas is subject to taxation by six different
taxing jurisdictions. Property located in Moore County, outside Dumas city limits will have a slightly different tax structure. Below are the 2014-2015 tax rates per $100 of assessed
value for property located within Dumas limits.
Moore Co. College District
City of Dumas
Moore County
FCL&R
Special Road
Dumas Independent School District
Moore County Hospital District
Palo Duro River Authority
North Plains Water District #2
TOTAL
$0.050000
$0.170412
$0.376412
$0.064924
$.0052395
$1.144600
$0.145723
$0.013084
$0.025324
$1.995874
Sales & Use Tax
City
State
Total
Dumas
2.00%
6.25%
8.25%
Other county taxing jurisdictions and tax rates per $100:
Dumas Hotel/Motel Tax
City of Sunray
City of Cactus
Sunray Ind. School District
7% of taxable receipts
$0.216817
$0.230391
$1.253000
Cactus
1.00 %
6.25%
7.25%
Sunray
1.00%
6.25%
7.25%
Income Tax:
Texas does not collect personal income tax. Corporate income tax is collected in the form of a franchise tax.
Franchise Tax:
The Texas franchise tax is a privilege tax imposed on each
taxable entity chartered/organized in Texas or doing business
in Texas. Corporations pay the greater of the tax on net taxable capital or net taxable earned surplus. The revised franchise tax applies to partnerships (general, limited and limited
liability), corporations, LLCs, business political committees
and other legal entities. For further information, go to
www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/franchise/index.html.
The franchise tax rates are:
1.0% (.01) for most entities
0.5% (.005) for qualifying wholesalers and retailers* (see
qualification on website)
0.575% for those entities with $10 million or less in Total
Revenue (annualized per 12 month period on which the report is based) electing the E-Z Computation
1525 S. Dumas Ave.
(806) 935-4000
10%
Off
Your stay at Dumas Value Inn
Bring in this coupon and save
Find photos on our website: www.dumasvalueinn.com
27
Learn Moore History
Moore County is home
to many interesting historical markers. Some are located along what are major
highways
today
(US
87/287) while others are located in more isolated areas
on narrow, winding back
roads. Regardless of their
location, these markers
help tell the story of Moore
County’s past.
Two of the markers are
located at the courthouse
square in Dumas (7th/8th
and Dumas Ave.)
On US 87/287 south
(Dumas Ave.), two historical markers are located
near the south city limits at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center.
Further south on US 87/287 several miles outside of Dumas rests two markers.
Another marker is located on State Highway 152
about 12 miles east of Dumas.
About 25 miles southeast of Dumas rests another historical marker. This
one is on Farm to Market
1913 at the intersection of
Plum Creek Road.
The final historical
marker rests on the side of
the road on Farm to Market 1060, near Morton Elevator Road northeast of
Dumas.
To find out more about
historical markers you
may visit Window on the
Plains,
1820
S.
Dumas
Ave.
(dumasmuseumandartcenter.org) or the Texas Historical
Commission at www.thc.state.tx.us.
TT EE XX AA SS •• KK AA NN SS AA SS •• OO KK LL AA HH OO M
M AA
Find electronic versions of the
Tri-State Ag Quarterly Magazine
online at www.moorenews.com
28
For advertising inquries:
Call: (806) 935-4111
Fax: (806) 935-2348
E-mail:
wandab@moorenews.com
Published in March, June,
September and December
A publication of
NewsHPress
The Moore County
Moore County Agriculture
Agriculture is big business in Moore County. Dumas and Moore County boast a diverse ag industry,
excellent transportation and unsurpassed community support. In fact, Dumas is one of the nation’s leading producers of agricultural products.
Farming is big business in Moore County. This is
due to the area’s soil composition and the mild climate, which make for a prime farming location.
Wheat is the most popular crop in Moore County
followed by corn, cotton, milo, alfalfa, soybeans and
sunflowers.
Though most of the crops are used for traditional
purposes such as food, clothing and animal feed, but
some are also used more innovatively, such as producing biofuel.
Cattle is also big in Moore County, which ranks
seventh in the state in terms of beef production, and
it is in the top 15 in the nation.
Approximately 180,000 cattle are in ranches and
feedlots throughout the county.
Moore County is home to both the beef processing industry and the dairy industry. There are approximately 5,000 to 7,500 cattle processed daily and
there are currently 35,000-plus dairy cows in the
county.
Aquifer use in Moore County and many of the
surrounding counties in the Texas Panhandle comes
from the Ogallala aquifer.
Irrigation and water use management are large
issues facing farmers in Moore County. The county
has an agricultural income of about $340 million
from contributors such as feed yard cattle, dairies,
corn, sorghum and cotton with all being reliant on
irrigation. Moore County has about 250,000 irrigated acres, about 100,000 dry land crop acres and
the remainder in native pasture.
Corn is the largest user of water of the crops
raised in the Panhandle.
Dumas Business Park
Texas is a great place to
do business. Dumas is a
great place in Texas to do
business and Dumas Industrial Park is where many
businesses are choosing to
locate.
The park, which is a 265acre business park, is an ongoing project of the Dumas
Economic
Development
Corporation. The Dumas
EDC has sites available in
the park and the question is
asked... “Why not sign on
for a nominal lease arrangement and test the water before committing?” Dumas
EDC representatives say the
Dumas Business Success
Centers 1 and 2 are created
just for that in mind.
The business park is attractive to many different
types of businesses, especially those requiring access to
major roadways. The park
is located adjacent to US
Highway 287, US 87 is just a
few blocks away and it is
close to Interstates 40 and
25.
Dumas EDC notes that
Dumas and Moore County
are home to industrial diversity.
“Exceptional rail and
highway access round out
the benefits of locating in
Dumas,” Dumas EDC states.
“Whether your firm is looking for a hub in wind energy,
distribution, aviation, retail,
agriculture, oil or natural
gas industries, Dumas is the
location.”
Dumas is experiencing
growth in each of these areas and has been recognized
as a Top 100 Micropolitan, a
Top 5 Wind Energy Business
Location, and received the
Workforce
Excellence
Aweard for its ability to cre-
ate a trained workforce.
The new Amarillo College Moore County Campus
Career and Technical Center, located across from Success Center 1, only strengthens that statement.
To learn more about the
opportunities and incentives
available through the EDC,
call (806) 934-3332, (877)
934-3332, e-mail running@
dumasedc.org or visit www.
dumasedc.org.
29
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area &
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
Alibates Flint Quarries Ntl. Monument
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Within the dry and windswept high plains of the Texas
Panhandle lies a hidden oasis, a welcoming haven where
wildlife and humans find respite from the dry grasslands
above. Through this plain, the Canadian River has cut dramatic 200-foot canyons, or breaks, where humans have eked
out a living for over 13,000 years. Lake Meredith now occupies these hidden coves where early humans once roamed.
There is no fee to visit Lake Meredith, though boaters
must purchase a permit. Many of the campgrounds offer picnic tables and shade shelters for those looking for a place to
have a picnic. Spring Canyon, which is day use only, also includes picnic tables and has fishing and swimming.
SPRING CANYON (STILLING BASIN)
Day use only--swimming, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching
This popular site is located west of the town of Sanford off
FM 1319. Take the road heading down the northeast side of
Sanford Dam. Picnic tables with shade shelters, grills and
vault-evaporator toilets are available. Currently there is no
drinking water or flush toilets available. While visiting the site
please observe the park bulletin boards for additional park
information including rules and regulations.
There are several different ways to get to Lake Meredith.
If you are coming from Amarillo, exit Loop 335 North, then
exit Hwy 136 North to Fritch. Headquarters is located at 419
E. Broadway in Fritch. If coming from the North you can
take 1913 from SH 152 or from US 287 and follow Park Service signs.
30
Texas' only monument offers ranger guided hikes, a film
and exhibits. Hikes are by reservation, involve one mile of
walking, an elevation gain of 170' and take two hours. The
monument protects a mesa covered in a lithic scatter carpet of
flint, so thick you cannot walk without stepping on human
generated flakes of Alibates flint. The quarries were dug, by
hand, 1,000 years ago. However, gathering of flint from the
mesa has been taking place for 13,000 years.
Tours of Alibates are free! Tours are usually set up at 10
a.m. or 2 p.m. Please call Park Headquarters at (806) 8573151 or write Superintendant, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, P.O. Box 1460 Fritch, Texas 79036 and make a
reservation. For group reservations (15 or more people) contact Park Headquarters for a group tour permit form, which
may be returned by fax to (806) 857-2319.
Alibates Flint Quarries is located approximately 35 miles
north of Amarillo.
From Dumas, take SH 152 east for about 18 miles and turn
right on FM 1913. Travel a short distance and turn left on
FM 1319 toward Sanford Dam/Lake Meredith National
Recreation Area. Once in Sanford, turn right on FM 687 and
proceed SH 136 near Fritch. Turn right on SH 136 and proceed south about nine miles and make a right on Cas Johnson
Road. Park Service signs will be visible. Proceed approximately 3 miles to "Y" intersection and bear to the right. Go
northwest approximately 2 miles to the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument Contact Station.
From I-40 in Amarillo, take Lakeside exit north towards
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. Exit on TX 136
north towards Borger. After about 30 miles, turn west from
TX 136 onto Cas Johnson Road.
Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon, referred to as “The Grand
Canyon of Texas”, is the second largest canyon in the
country.
Visitors can enjoy the
canyon's rugged beauty and
enjoy it's colorful history.
The park lies 12 miles east of
Canyon, Texas, (which is
about 60 miles south of Dumas) on Hwy 217. You may
access the canyon from
Amarillo by traveling south
on FM 1541, then eight miles
east on Texas 217, or via US
87/I-27 at Canyon.
This state park opened on
July 4, 1934, and contains
29,182 acres of the scenic,
northern most portion of the
Palo Duro Canyon. The
Civilian Conservation Corps
of the 1930s constructed
most of the buildings and
roads still in use by park
staff and visitors.
The Canyon is 120 miles
longs, as much as 20 miles
wide, and has a maximum
depth of more than 800 feet.
It's elevation at the rim is
3,500 feet above sea level.
The canyon was formed by
water erosion from the
Prairie Dog Town Fork of
the Red River. Wind and water erosion gradually widen
the canyon.
The Texas Parks and Wild
Life Department states that
Palo Duro Canyon, in Randall and Armstrong counties,
is located on the eastern edge
of the Texas High Plains
(Llano Estacado).
Visitors can enjoy the
park's scenery by simply
traveling along the paved 16
miles of roadway. In addition,
visitors may ride horseback
on some 1,500 acres in the
park, and there are campsites
with water and electricity,
primitive sites, equestrian
sites, or backpack camping
areas. There are also three
cabings on the canyon's rim
This park and trailway is
another attraction located in
the region. It is approximately 130 miles south of Lake
Meredith.
Caprock Canyons offers
ay-use and camping facilities,
hiking, wildlife watching,
horseback riding, swimming,
fishing,
mountain-biking,
boating, scenic driving, bat
viewing, guided tours and
more, including the "Official
Bison Herd of the State of
Texas". In September 2011,
80 descendants of the great
southern plains bison herd
were released to roam 700
acres of grasslands in the
park. From a safe distance,
visitors can view these animals in their native habitat.
The park features 13 trails
in all, including six along the
Trailway, which are each approximately 10 miles long
with parking lots at each
trailhead. It is highly recommended that personal water
be carried for each adventurer. Water is available (usually) for animals along the trail,
and there is some potable water at select sites.
Call (806) 455-1492 for
more information or visit
www.tpwd.state.tx.us and
search for the park's page.
Image courtesy of Sefor4/Wikipedia. Used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
"The Lighthouse”, a pillar-like erosional remnant of Upper
Triassic continental sandstones and shales of the Trujillo
Formation in the northern part of the Palo Duro Canyon
State Park.
or four limited service cabins
on the canyon floor. A pavilion sits in the canyon as well
for weddings, reunions or
meetings. You may also explore more than 30 miles of
the canyon by foot, mountain
bike, horse or car.
The “Texas” outdoor musical drama is set on the
canyon floor at the Pioneer
Amphitheater during the
summer months. To find out
more you may call 806-4882227 or visit www.palodurocanyon.com.
Caprock Canyons State Park
Earl Nottingham, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
New 700-acre range is opened to Texas Bison herd at
Caprock Canyons State Park near Quitaque, Texas
September 7, 2011.
31
32