Friona, Texas

Friona, Texas
Friona at dusk
Friona at dusk
Motto: 
"The Biggest Small Town in Texas"
Location of Friona, Texas
Location of Friona, Texas
Coordinates: 34°38′20″N 102°43′18″W / 34.63889°N 102.72167°W / 34.63889; -102.72167
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyParmer
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • City ManagerLeander Davila
Area
 • Total1.40 sq mi (3.63 km2)
 • Land1.40 sq mi (3.63 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
4,019 ft (1,225 m)
Population
 • Total4,171
 • Density2,979.29/sq mi (1,150.31/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
79035
Area code806
FIPS code48-27660[3]
GNIS feature ID1357767[4]
Websitewww.cityoffriona.com

Friona is a city in Parmer County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,171 at the 2020 census.[2] Friona was established as a small community in 1898 by XIT Ranch, originally called Frio, which is also the word for "cold" in Spanish.

The community served as a shipping point for the Pecos and Northern Texas Railroads. In 1906, the George G. Wright Land CO. chose the community for a colonization project, promising settlers of fertile soil, and a healthful climate. The community then became known as Friona after the opening of a post office in March 16, 1907 and started to construct various buildings, which were a hotel, livery stable and a bank. Soon after, the first church in Friona was constructed, and then in the following year of 1908 a school.[5]

In 2007, the Texas State Legislature declared Friona the "Cheeseburger Capital of Texas". The city began holding the "Cheeseburger Cook-Off and Festival" in 2006.

The city motto is "The Biggest Small Town in Texas".[citation needed]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Friona city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "History of Friona". City of Friona. Retrieved February 3, 2022.