Whitharral, Texas

Unincorporated community in Texas, United States

33°44′15″N 102°19′38″W / 33.73750°N 102.32722°W / 33.73750; -102.32722^[1]Country

United StatesState

TexasCountyHockleyPhysiographic regionLlano EstacadoFounded1924Founded byJohn W. Harral (1871-1938)Elevation

^[1]

3,481 ft (1,061 m)Population

(2000)

• Total175Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)ZIP code

79380

Area code806WebsiteHandbook of Texas

Whitharral (pronounced "WHIT-hair-ul", the T and H do not blend) is an unincorporated community in Hockley County, Texas, United States.

History

Whitharral was founded in 1924 after the sale of the Littlefield ranchlands.^[2] The town was named for John Whitfield Harral, a trustee of the Yellow House Land Company, which sold the Littlefield ranchlands to farmers.^[3]

A school was founded in 1925, and a post office the following year.^[2] Cotton gins, three churches, a garage, and a general store followed soon after.

Tornadoes have hit the town twice.^[2] The first occurred on Easter Sunday of 1957, causing some residential damage. Late in the evening on April 17, 1970, a violent tornado caused heavy damage to parts of the city and flattened the school's gym just minutes after fans and players had left the facility.^[4]

Education

The Whitharral Independent School District serves area students. The high school football team has played in the UIL six-man football state championship three times, winning in 1981 and 2001.^[5]

On March 2, 2013, the Whitharral girls basketball team, the Lady Panthers, captured the Class 1A Division II state championship by defeating Saltillo of Hopkins County, Texas.

Cotton gin, Whitharral
Whitharral Panthers six-man football facility

References

^ ^a ^b "Whitharral". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Whitharral, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
^ Peterman, Vincent Matthew (1979). Pioneer Days: A Half-Century of Life in Lamb County and Adjacent Communities. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. p. 61.
^ Grazulis, Thomas (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
^ "Whitharral Takes Title". Sixmanfootball.com. Retrieved February 2, 2010.