HOWARD COUNTY
County Offices
300 Main Street
Big Spring 432-264-2202
www.co.howard.tx.us
Chamber of Commerce
215 West 3rd Street
Big Spring 432-263-7641
www.bigspringchamber.com
Covering more than 900 square miles, Howard County is situated at the convergence of three ecological regions from rolling and high plains to the Edwards Plateau. The area’s unique diversity of plant and animal life makes it a haven for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts. The county seat of Big Spring serves as the hub of government, commerce, and healthcare, with only a few hundred people living in the very small towns of Coahoma and Forsan. Residents look to Interstate 20, US Highway 87, and State Highway 350 for commuting ease to regional destinations.
Services
Newcomers will be pleased to find outstanding healthcare services close to home at Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring, providing primary and general care along with specialized services. In addition to acute care and emergency treatment, SMMC offers advanced imaging, laboratory, cardiopulmonary, heartburn surgery, general surgeries, rehabilitation services, a Sleep Disorder Center, and women’s health. SMMC maintains active ties to the community by providing guest speakers, maintaining a Health & Wellness library, and furthering awareness of programs like the Senior Circle and Healthy Women. The George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center is also located in Big Spring, anchoring a wide array of healthcare services for veterans within the West Texas VA Health System. Should the need for advanced care arise, a number of state-of-the-art medical centers are available within the region, including Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Midland Memorial Hospital, and Odessa Regional Medical Center. Hundreds of professionals representing every specialty maintain private practices, while the Texas Tech Physicians operate outpatient clinics located in both urban areas.
Quality education begins in the Big Spring Independent School District, where “Excellence is Expected of All.” Participation in extra-curricular activities is strong in this family oriented community, from athletics to drama. Options for post-secondary education are available right in Howard County at the Big Spring campus for Howard College. Serving a 13-county region for more than 60 years, the Howard College Junior College District provides workforce education and career training along with a wide variety of courses, certifications, and associate degree programs. Another Big Spring campus within the system, the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, enables deaf and hard-of-hearing students to realize their full potential. Other colleges surrounding Howard County include the two-year institutions of Odessa College and Midland College, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of the Permian Basin, and the nationally recognized University of Texas of the Permian Basin—consistently ranked as Top Tier by U.S. News & World Report.
Lifestyle
Howard County residents enjoy a high quality of life and an affordable cost of living in a region known for abundant recreational opportunities. Hunting, fishing, bird watching, nature study, and water recreation are popular pastimes supported by more than 800 acres of public parks that include the sprawling 382-acre Big Spring State Park. The original “big spring” for which the county seat is named is surrounded by Comanche Trail Park with hiking/cycling trails, historic amphitheater, and a municipal golf course. Visitors to the park enjoy dramatic views and stunning sunset vistas from the 200-foot bluff and the loop drive circling the mountain. One of the popular annual events in Howard County is the Comanche Warrior Triathlon, although the calendar is filled with colorful celebrations like Howard County Rodeo, Big Spring Pow-Wow, and St. Lawrence Fall Festival. The holidays bring the popular Big Spring Herald Christmas Parade, Howard College Luminaria, and the Big Spring Symphony Guild Tour of Homes.
Howard County is home to several nationally recognized attractions like the Hangar 24 Air Museum at McMahon Wrinkle Airport, a former Air Force base known for hosting national and world hang gliding championships. Truly rare holdings like phonograph models by Thomas A. Edison are among the artifacts showcased at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring, covering 13,000 square feet with exhibits and research areas. The Hall Center for the Arts at Howard College supports the visual and performing arts community. Big Spring Symphony is a local treasure that performs at the historic Municipal Auditorium and Comanche Trail Amphitheater. Families will appreciate the array of kid-friendly attractions, from the Big Spring Family Aquatic Center to a variety of sports and fun centers with activities for all ages. The opportunities to “shop until you drop” are abundant in Howard County, from Big Spring Mall and Big Spring Marketplace to locally owned boutiques and antique dealers. With the bright lights of Odessa and Midland shining in the distance, Howard County residents can easily balance metropolitan advantages with the best of small-town charm.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Big Spring
City Offices
432-264-2346
www.mybigspring.com
Chamber of Commerce
432-263-7641
www.bigspringchamber.com
The City of Big Spring serves as the county seat, population center, and hub for healthcare, education and commerce for Howard County. The name came from the historic watering place for wildlife and herds of buffalo, antelope, and mustangs. Big Spring features a number of unique features and attractions, including Hotel Settles with its opulent Grand Ballroom, built in 1930 and elegantly restored to serve as a luxurious social center for West Texas. This towering art deco masterpiece stands as the centerpiece of downtown Big Spring, evoking the charm and architectural styling of a long-forgotten era. Wonderful museums and historic sites, a thriving business district, lush parks filled with recreational facilities, and a countryside that supports abundant wildlife make Big Spring a West Texas treasure.
