Wheeler County, Texas

Wheeler County
Wheeler County Courthouse
Wheeler County Courthouse
Map of Texas highlighting Wheeler County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°24′N 100°16′W / 35.4°N 100.27°W / 35.4; -100.27
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1879
Named forRoyall T. Wheeler
SeatWheeler
Largest cityShamrock
Area
 • Total915 sq mi (2,370 km2)
 • Land915 sq mi (2,370 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (3 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,990
 • Density5.5/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district13th
Websitewww.co.wheeler.tx.us
Wheeler County Veterans Memorial
John 14:6 sign along U.S. Route 66 in Wheeler County

Wheeler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,990.[1] Its county seat is Wheeler.[2] The county was formed in 1876 and organized in 1879.[3] It is named for Royall Tyler Wheeler, a chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

Wheeler County was formerly one of 30 entirely dry counties in the state of Texas.[4] However, circa 2010, the community of Shamrock, located in Wheeler County at the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 83, voted to allow liquor sales. Within the city limits of Shamrock is the only place to purchase liquor in Wheeler County.

The Pioneer West Museum, the Wheeler County historical museum, is located in Shamrock off U.S. Highway 83.

  1. ^ "Wheeler County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Local Option Elections | TABC".