TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

 TX Winkler County location
Winkler County

Counties
Texas Counties


Texas Towns
A - Z

Odessa Hotels

More Hotels


KERMIT, TEXAS

"The only town in Texas to be
named after one of Theodore Roosevelt's Sons"

Winkler County Seat, West Texas

31°51'14"N 103°5'32"W (31.853995, 103.092336)

Hwys 18, 102 and 302
6 or 7 miles NE of Wink
47 miles from Odessa
22 miles from Monahans
10 miles from New Mexico
ZIP code 79745
Area code 432
Population: 6,486 Est. (2019)
5,708 (2010) 5,714 (2000) 6,875 (1990)

Kermit, Texas Area Hotels › Odessa Hotels

Kermit Tx - City Limit Road Sign
Kermit City Limit
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010

Kermit, Texas Topics:

  • History in a Pecan Shell
  • Kermit Historical Marker
  • Kermit Landmarks/Attractions & Photos
    Historic courthouse, historic home, heritage murals, signs to remember...
  • Kermit Area Destinations

  • Kermit Tx - Home of Jim Sharp Champion Bullrider
    Kermit - Home of Jim Sharp Champion Bullrider
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010

    History in a Pecan Shell

    The county was organized in 1910 and named after Kermit Roosevelt who had been hunting in the area shortly before. Father Theodore was still extremely popular - especially out west.

    1910 was also the year the W. H. Seastrunk moved his house into town. It may not seem like a big event to you, but it was to Mr. Seastrunk.

    A drought in 1916 created an exodus - if you can apply the term to so few people. By the time 1924 came around, only one family was left in town - living in the Seastrunk house. The entire county had one student attending school in 1924. We have no name, but we can safely assume he or she was at the head of the class.

    Kermit's boom occurred in 1926 - the same year as the rise of Wink and Notrees. The population soared to 1,000 people and by the time the Texas-New Mexico Railroad reached the area in 1929 - they were up to 1,500. The oil kept the economy fairly stable during the Great Depression, but although the population declined after the initial boom, it rose again at the end of the 30s.

    Kermit got around to incorporating in 1938, and finally got around to opening a bank in 1945. It was reported that after the bank opened, there was a jump in mattress sales.

    In the 60s, Kermit reached their high population mark of 10,500.

    Kermit Landmarks / Attractions


    Historical Marker (Hwy. 302 East City Limit) :

    KERMIT

    County Seat of Winkler County. Organized in 1910. Incorporated in 1938. Name for Kermit Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, who had visited a local ranch. One of the top oil and gas producing counties in state. Ranch center. Gateway to New Mexico.
    (1964)
    Kermit Tx Historical Marker
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit Landmarks / Attractions



    Kermit TX - Winkler County Courthouse & Historical Marker
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    Winkler County Courthouse >


    Kermit Tx Medallion Home
    The Medallion Home
    Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
    Pioneer Park, Tommy Thompson Rd.

    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    The Seastrunk/ Baird House (c. 1907) in Pioneer Park (adjoining Winkler County Park) - Oldest structure in Kermit - originally built five miles south, dismantled and moved into town in 1910.

    (1964) Historical Marker Text :

    Kermit's Oldest Home
    Built by county clerk, 1910. (year Winkler County was organized). Owned by Mosleys Bairds.

    More Texas Historic Homes

    The Five-Panel Mural
    Artist: Alice Leese

    Mural in Kermit Heritage Park showing Kermit downtown & water towers
    Mural showing downtown & water towers
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Mural in Kermit Heritage Park showing Kermit downtown & water tower
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Mural in Kermit Heritage Park showing Kermit buildings & windmill
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit TX - Mural in Kermit Heritage Park showing cattle and windmille
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit TX - Mural in Kermit Heritage Park showing indian settlement with Tee Pee
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit TX - Five-Panel Mural in Kermit Heritage Park
    The Five-Panel Mural
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    More Texas Murals


    Former Kermit Elementary School



    The former Kermit Elementary School
    TE Photo
    More Texas Schoolhouses
    The Kermit Elementary School is a nice example of a public building in the Mission Revival Style. It is currently vacant and the City of Kermit would like to use it as a community building of some sort since its beautiful tile floors and wooden stage offer several possible uses.

    The school district also wants to see the building put to use, but since asbestos was used in the construction, the problem is not a lack of cooperation, but how to afford the costly removal.


    Kermit Tx old style restaurant Sign
    Old Style Restaurant Sign
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit Tx - No Trespassing Sign
    No Trespassing
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit Tx Welcome Sign
    Welcome to Kermit
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit TX - "Kermit the Frog" Blvd sign
    "Kermit the Frog" Blvd
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    More Texas Signs


    Kermit Water Towers
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit Texas - Kermit the Frog water tower
    Kermit the Frog Water Tower
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010


    Kermit Texas water tower
    Kermit Water Tower
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    More Texas Water Towers


    Kermit TX - Old Sinclair ARCO Gas Station
    Kermit Old Sinclair ARCO Gas Station
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, August 2017
    More Texas Gas Stations


    Winkler County Texas Centennial Marker
    The neglected Winkler County Texas Centennial Marker
    Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
    See Texas Centennial Markers & Monuments


    Kermit, Texas Area Destinations
    Winkler County, Texas state line marker and Compromise of  1850 marker
    Photo courtesy Gerald Massey
    "Texas Territorial Compromise of 1850"
    Texas state line marker and "Compromise of 1850" marker
    On Hwy 18 N of Kermit

    West Texas Trip from Midland / Odessa

    Kermit should be included in any exploration of this part of West Texas. A nice loop can be made if one flys into Midland / Odessa. Towns along this loop would include Monahans, Fort Stockton, Balmorhea, Toyah, Pecos, Mentone, and Kermit - Wink.

    Sites and side trips along the way cover each and every aspect of West Texas life from pre-history to WWII.

    Kermit Chamber of Commerce:
    112 N. Poplar 915-586-2507

    Book Hotel Here › Odessa Hotels | More Hotels

    Oil rig in Kermit sandstorm
    Pump jack in Kermit sandstorm
    Photo Courtesy Charlene Beatty Beauchamp


    April sandstorm in Kermit


    sandstorm on the highway near Kermit


    Sandhills Park in sandstorm
    April sandstorm
    Photos Courtesy Charlene Beatty Beauchamp, April 2001

    Kermit, Texas Forum
    Subject: Kermit Sandhills park is no more
    Dear TE, I just wanted to say that the Sandhills Park that used to be 10 miles outside of Kermit is not there anymore. The land [has been] divided up among private owners. It was being overused by people taking dune buggies, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes out there who were not cleaning up their trash. I think it was the county that decided to shut the park down and put the land up for sale rather than try to limit the usage of offroad vehicles. I have heard that one of the property owners is trying to construct another parking lot on his land and will charge a small fee for people wanting to park and ride out there.

    Good news... you can still see the miniature oak trees when driving either between Kermit and Andrews or Kermit and Odessa. - Mark Sessing, October 12, 2006


    Our thanks to Carla Neal of the Kermit Chamber of Commerce for answering our questions about Kermit.



    Take a road trip

    West Texas

    Kermit, Texas Nearby Towns:
    Wink | Odessa | Monahans
    See Winkler County

    Book Hotel Here:
    Odessa Hotels | More Hotels
    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
    TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
    Texas Counties
    Texas Towns A-Z
    Texas Ghost Towns

    TEXAS REGIONS:
    Central Texas North
    Central Texas South
    Texas Gulf Coast
    Texas Panhandle
    Texas Hill Country
    East Texas
    South Texas
    West Texas

    Courthouses
    Jails
    Churches
    Schoolhouses
    Bridges
    Theaters
    Depots
    Rooms with a Past
    Monuments
    Statues

    Gas Stations
    Post Offices
    Museums
    Water Towers
    Grain Elevators
    Cotton Gins
    Lodges
    Stores
    Banks

    Vintage Photos
    Historic Trees
    Cemeteries
    Old Neon
    Ghost Signs
    Signs
    Murals
    Gargoyles
    Pitted Dates
    Cornerstones
    Then & Now

    Columns: History/Opinion
    Texas History
    Small Town Sagas
    Black History
    WWII
    Texas Centennial
    Ghosts
    People
    Animals
    Food
    Music
    Art

    Books
    Cotton
    Texas Railroads

    Texas Trips
    Texas Drives
    Texas State Parks
    Texas Rivers
    Texas Lakes
    Texas Forts
    Texas Trails
    Texas Maps
    USA
    MEXICO
    HOTELS

    Site Map
    About Us
    Privacy Statement
    Disclaimer
    Contributors
    Staff
    Contact Us

     
    Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved