Carson County

County Offices
501 Main Street
Panhandle 806-537-3873
http://www.co.carson.tx.us/

Chamber of Commerce
223 Euclid Avenue
Panhandle 806-464-0046
https://www.facebook.com/panhandlechamberofcommerce/

Covering 900 square miles on the eastern edge of the Texas High Plains, rural Carson County is encompassed within the Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area. With level to rolling prairies of rich clay and loam soils, nearly all of the land is tillable and productive. The growing season is 191 days a year and the massive Ogallala Aquifer provides a rich source of water for crops, livestock, and residents. The city of Panhandle serves as the county seat and center of commerce and services for the surrounding area.

Diversity strengthens the region’s economy with a mix of sectors that include government, farming, ranching, energy production, agribusiness, manufacturing, retail, and trade. In addition to Panhandle and White Deer, the small communities of Skellytown and Groom expand the options for country living just a 40-minute drive from metropolitan Amarillo amenities. Major thoroughfares that serve the county include Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 60, and Texas State Highways 152 and 207. The nearest commercial airline service is available at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Amarillo.

Services

Residents of Carson County have easy access to state-of-the-art healthcare resources and facilities in nearby Amarillo, although most routine and day-to-day needs can be met locally at Family Care Clinic of Panhandle. A retirement living center and the Carson County Veterinary Clinic are also available in Panhandle. The closest hospitals will either be Golden Plains Hospital in Borger or Pampa Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Pampa. Serving 65,000 residents across the Texas Panhandle, PRMC is proud of the highest five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that place the hospital among the top six percent nationwide. Should the need for highly advanced care arise, nearby Amarillo is a hub of regional resources including those under the umbrella of two highly respected healthcare systems. Northwest Texas Healthcare is a Top Performer in surgical care and care for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia. The 475-bed Northwest Texas Hospital has also been designated as a Certified Primary Stroke Center and Center of Excellence for Women’s Health and Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. Maintaining a Level III Trauma Center, the hospital’s emergency room treats more than 50,000 patients each year. BSA Health System, which includes Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospital and Harrington Cancer Center, is consistently recognized as having one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals for clinical excellence and exemplary customer service. With a medical staff of more than 450 physicians and 3,400 employees, BSA Health provides a full spectrum of acute-care services and state-of-the-art diagnostics. Other specialized resources in Amarillo include Vibra Hospital Amarillo for long-term care and the Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the flagship hospital for the Amarillo VA Health System.

Newcomers are drawn to Carson County for a medley of reasons, but one of the most frequently cited is the outstanding performance of area schools. Local school districts are constantly striving for excellence in student achievement, quality of instruction, and opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. Parents looking for alternative educational environments will find a Montessori Preschool in Panhandle and additional options in metropolitan Amarillo. Associate degrees, certifications, and career training is available at Frank Phillips College in Borger and on four campus locations for Amarillo College in Amarillo. The campus for West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon is less than an hour’s drive from most points in Carson County. Offering a number of nationally ranked programs, WTAMU maintains a commitment to leading-edge education including a new state-of-the-art research facility for meat science and innovation. With its flagship campus in Lubbock, Texas Tech University Texas (TTU) maintains a strong presence in Amarillo. Joining scores of advanced healthcare institutions on the vast 430-acre Harrington Regional Medical Campus, the TTU Health Sciences Center houses the schools of pharmacy, medicine, nursing, health professions, and biomedical sciences. The private institution of Wayland Baptist University maintains a campus center in Amarillo, as does West Texas A&M University.

Lifestyle

Newcomers to Carson County will discover some of the finest outdoor recreation areas in West Texas, including lakefront activities at nearby Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This oasis on the dry high plains invites visitors to a paradise for swimming, picnicking, nature study, boating, fishing, hiking, and beach camping. This regional attraction showcases dramatic 200-foot canyons with hidden coves that have a history of human habitation dating back 13,000 years and serve today as a rich habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The largest canyon system after the Grand Canyon is also close to home. Just south of Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a premier destination for mountain biking and opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, camping, biking, photography, nature study, and horseback riding. Golfers will find countless challenging greens throughout metropolitan Amarillo as well as locally at Panhandle County Club in Panhandle. Families will appreciate the world of entertainment and recreational amenities throughout the Amarillo area, including the expansive Thompson Memorial Park, home to the Amarillo Zoo and the regional attraction of Wonderland Amusement Park. Science becomes relevant and fun at the Don Harrington Discovery Center and Space Theater, filled with engaging interactive exhibits and programs for all ages. Cadillac Ranch is a popular stop, inviting visitors to spray paint their own creative touches to old Cadillacs buried face-down in the ground. VW Slug Bug Ranch is the Carson County parody of that attraction, using wrecked VW Bugs instead of Cadillacs.

Cultural appreciation begins close to home at the Carson County Square House Museum, where the namesake 1880s home joins more than 20 historic treasures including a depot, store, bank, dental office, print shop, and blacksmith shop. Visitors can step back in time through exhibits, galleries, artifacts, and a life-size outdoor diorama that interpret the story of the Texas Panhandle and its people from 12,000 years ago to the oil boom of the 1920s. Two other points of interest in Carson County are the Patriot Peace Garden and the Cross in Groom landmark, distinguished as the largest cross in Texas. Minutes from home, metropolitan Amarillo adds a world of cultural enrichment, entertainment, and performing arts. Large-scale events include extravaganzas like Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo, Yellow City Sounds Music Festival, Good Times Celebration® Barbecue Cook-Off, Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show, and the Tri-State Rodeo & Fair. The stunningly beautiful Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts hosts big-name concerts and performances for its home companies of Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Symphony, and Lone Star Ballet. Distinguished as one of the oldest community theaters in the nation, Amarillo Little Theater has been pleasing audiences since 1927. One of the region’s most famous attractions is the outdoor musical drama Texas, drawing crowds every summer night to Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon. Celebrated museums in the Amarillo area include Texas Air & Space Museum, the Amarillo Museum of Art on the Amarillo College campus, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum on the West Texas A&M University campus. For the finest in small-town and country living near the bright lights of metropolitan Amarillo, Carson County is an ideal place to call home.

 

COMMUNITIES

Panhandle

Municipal Offices
806-537-3517
https://panhandletx.govoffice2.com/

Chamber of Commerce
806-464-0046
https://www.facebook.com/panhandlechamberofcommerce/

Serving as the seat of county government and hub of commerce, services, and healthcare for the surrounding rural countryside, Panhandle welcomes newcomers to a friendly hometown atmosphere. The Family Care Clinic of Panhandle is available to meet routine medical needs from acute and chronic care to immunizations and laboratory services. Owners of pets and other animals have local access to first-rate medical services thanks to the presence of the Carson County Veterinary Clinic. Support for local businesses runs high in and around Panhandle, where eclectic shops, restaurants, and services ensure a convenient lifestyle and popular places to gather with neighbors and friends. The cooperative, friendly spirit of the city is evident around every corner, including the planning of large-scale events like the citywide garage sale. During the holiday season, downtown Panhandle transforms into a wonderland of twinkle lights and storefront décor that help to support the seasonal highlight: the Christmas Light Parade down Main Street. From fund-raising pancake breakfasts and barbecues to overflowing high school football stadiums, community feels more like family in Panhandle.

 

White Deer

Municipal Offices
806-883-4191
http://www.whitedeer.us/

Chamber of Commerce
806-464-0046
https://www.facebook.com/panhandlechamberofcommerce/

One of the first things that catches the eyes of newcomers and visitors to the small town of White Deer is the imposing statue of a magnificent white deer set on a concrete pedestal in the middle of the town’s main intersection. As a tribute to the town’s rich history, the base of the structure features an historical marker. The community’s long and storied history dates back to the late 1800s when the surrounding land was first being plotted into sprawling ranches and farms. In spite of the White Deer’s sparse population, the community is home to a surprisingly robust business culture. One of the most impressive is the headquarters for Scarab International, the worldwide leading manufacturer of self-propelled compost windrow turners. As unusual as a worldwide headquarters might sound for such a small town, Scarab International is only one of three companies in White Deer that generates the majority of its sales outside of Texas. Several ingredients have made White Deer the choice of leading manufacturing operations, including an employment base that knows the value of old-fashioned hard work, a warm community spirit with a strong appeal for families, and an award-winning school district. Other highlights include the local library, numerous chapters of service organizations and clubs, active local churches, and enthusiastic support for community events and programs.