County Seat: Crane • County Population: 4,375 (2010 U.S. Census)
County Judge: John Farmer
County Commissioners:
- Precinct 1: Tom Brown
- Precinct 2: Dennis Young
- Precinct 3: Domingo Escobedo
- Precinct 4: Roy Hodges
The Crane County Courthouse was designed by Groos, Clift & Ball and completed in 1948 for $150,000; the county capitol was remodeled and expanded in 1958 for $370,000.
Crane County was formed from Tom Green County in 1887 and named for William Carey Crane, a Baptist preacher and administrator of Baylor University when it was located in Independence, Texas. The county was actually organized 40 years later in 1927.
In 1920, Crane housed only 37 residents. However, the same oil boom that developed the towns of Wink, McCamey, Iraan and Notrees lured thousands to Crane County including land speculators and oil field workers.
In 1925, Church & Fields Exploration Company obtained a permit to drill. The first well was completed in March 1926. By 1927, there were an estimated 6,000 people in the county, with some 4,500 residing in the county seat.
Crane County remains one of the largest oil-producing counties in the Lone Star State. In fact, according to the latest data published in Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine, as of press time Crane County housed 374 producing wells.
Cattle ranching supports the economy, as well, with more than 503,000 acres of land used for livestock grazing.
Speaking of cattle, in 1965 a historical marker was erected in Crane County to designate the famed Horsehead Crossing. As detailed in the marker text, “One of the most important sites in the old west. Named for skulls pointing toward crossing. Only ford for many miles where animals could enter, drink and leave Pecos River safely. Elsewhere deep banks would trap them. Ford mapped 1849 by Capt. R. B. Marcy, head of army escort for parties on way to California gold rush. Used in 1850’s contractor for first mail route from San Antonio to El Paso…”
Finally, Crane County residents gather throughout the year for a variety of annual events including:
• 4-H Stock Show (Jan.)
• Chamber Banquet (March)
• Arts & Crafts Fair (May)
• AJRA Rodeo (May)
• Relay for Life Cancer Walk (May)
• Crane Heritage Days (Sept.)
• Chili Cookoff (Oct.)
• Shop Crane Night (Dec.)