GLASSCOCK COUNTY
County Offices
209 South Myrl Street
Garden City 432-354-2371
www.co.glasscock.tx.us
Chamber of Commerce
215 West 3rd Street
Big Spring 432-263-7641
www.bigspringchamber.com
Part of the Big Spring, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area, rural Glasscock County is large located over the Spraberry Trend—one the largest oil reserves in the nation. In spite of oil and gas production, most of the county’s 1,500 residents are engaged in farming and ranching activity. Commercial development is minimal and no communities have incorporated. Major highways connecting residents with services and amenities include US Highway 87 and State Highways 137 and 158.
Services
From any point in Glasscock County, residents have a short commute to quality healthcare in community-based facilities like Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring or regional institutions with nationally recognized clinical specialties. Nearby San Angelo is home to Shannon Medical Center with its award-winning care, recognized specialties, and a Level III Trauma Center. The Midland/Odessa region is well known as a healthcare hub, anchored by the 468-bed Midland Memorial Hospital with two hospital campuses, a cancer treatment center, the Heart Institute, Total Joint Center, women’s and children’s healthcare services, and various rehabilitation programs. Operating campuses in both cities, Odessa Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive services using the most advanced medical technology. Odessa is also home to Medical Center Hospital, serving a 17-county region as a teaching hospital and healthcare system. Along with scores of professionals in private practice, Texas Tech Physicians operate outpatient clinics in both Odessa and Midland. From routine to advanced care, residents of Glasscock County have the assurance of quick and easy access.
Quality educational opportunities for county residents begin with the Glasscock Independent School District, where academic achievement combines with spirited participation in extra-curricular activities. The region surrounding Glasscock County is rich in options for career training and two-year degree programs, from Howard Junior College District with its flagship campus in Big Spring and another in San Angelo to Odessa College and Midland College. The Howard Community College District in Big Spring also maintains the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, enabling deaf and hard-of-hearing students to reach their full potential. Four-year institutions include Angelo State University in San Angelo, consistently ranked among “The Best Colleges” by Princeton Review, and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa with its nationally recognized programs. Both Midland and Odessa are home to campuses for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of the Permian Basin. From vocational training to professional degrees, residents of Glasscock County have access to some of the finest educational institutions in Texas.
Lifestyle
Fresh air, natural surroundings and simple pleasures add to the quality of life in Glasscock County, where farms and ranches still dominate the rural landscape. Recreational adventures center on natural resources, including hunting and local lake fishing. Church and school activities play vital roles in daily life, giving residents opportunities to cheer on their favorite team or share great food and good times with friends and neighbors. The unincorporated communities of Garden City and St. Lawrence are home to just a few hundred residents each. While local residents are frequently traveling to nearby Big Spring, San Angelo, and Midland for expanded amenities, Glasscock County welcomes thousands of visitors each autumn to the St. Lawrence Festival. This three-day German Catholic celebration of old-fashioned family fun and German heritage excels in lively entertainment, from amusement rides and children’s activities to live music, dancing, gaming, German cuisine, and a beer garden.
Well known as a hunter’s paradise, Glasscock County has a reputation for some of the finest deer, turkey and quail hunting in Texas. With exceptional resources for outdoor enjoyment like three recreational lakes, the Concho river walk, and San Angelo State Park, residents enjoy boating, fishing, water-skiing, cycling, hiking, camping, horseback riding, golfing and playing tennis. Opportunities for spectator thrills include collegiate clashes with the San Angelo State University Rams, the San Angelo Colts of the United Baseball League, the annual Stock Show and Rodeo, and professional arena football excitement with the San Angelo Bandits. Developed resources are equally outstanding in local parks and recreation centers, providing residents of all ages with opportunities to socialize, exercise, develop skills, and participate in league play.
The urban centers that surround the county provide a virtually unlimited number of cultural, recreational, and entertainment venues and activities. Nearby San Angelo is home to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, recipient of the prestigious National Museum Service Award and host of stellar exhibits from across Texas and around the world. Big Spring invites visitors to attractions that include more than 800 acres of diverse parkland and the magnificently restored 1930 art deco-style Hotel Settles. The Midland/Odessa region features everything from professional spectator sports to star-studded entertainment. Talented groups like the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale and Midland Community Theatre combine with Broadway shows, concerts, ballet, and theatrical productions at the award-winning Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Celebrated museums include the Commemorative Air Force/American Airpower Heritage Museum, Haley Memorial Library & History Center, Ellen Noel Art Museum, and the unique Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Few places in the nation can rival Glasscock County for its blend of quiet county living with easy access to some of the finest attractions in Texas.
