Ranches, cattle and oil fields in George West
George West has always been a rancher’s town. Before the first courthouse was built in 1878, the future county seat for Live Oak County was just 120,000 acres of grazing land owned by George Washington West for his herd of 26,000 cattle head. It wasn’t until the Texas oil boom in the early 1900s that its agricultural and energy industries began to take shape between its many crop harvests and oil field drilling. “It’s a tiny town in south Texas,” says Terrie Mills, a Realtor with Keller Williams and a native of the area. “Everybody knows everybody, and they look out for each other.” With outdoor recreation, a top-rated school district and country homes with plenty of acreage, its economic investments have paid off for the city of George West.
History, hunting and home runs
George West has three public parks south of McKimzey Creek. Menchaca Park has a playground, sand volleyball court and a small community garden, while the public swimming pool is south by Cactus Park. Local events are held at the large pavilion in the city park, and Little League games take place at the South Live Oak field. The Grace Armantrout Museum houses old photographs, historical artifacts and even a train caboose. Bull-riding and rodeo events occur at the Live Oak County Fair Grounds and Coliseum 3 miles northwest of the area, and hunters will occasionally lease land to hunt whitetail deer, doves or turkeys.
Traditional homes and ranches with lots of acreage
There are houses of many sizes, price points and styles northwest of the highway intersection, with cracked streets and old sidewalks connecting one side of the community to the other. “A lot of people live on ranches there,” Mills says. “It has a quiet, country feel. You’re more spread out and not right up next to people.” Small fixer-uppers with small lots, partial fences and patchy lawns range from $30,000 to $60,000. Traditional brick exterior and stucco houses have lots up to 2 acres and range from $200,000 to $400,000. Larger four-bedroom homes feature in-ground pools, hot tubs and cabanas along with 5-acre lots, and sell for $700,000 to $900,000.
A-rated schools in George West ISD
George West Independent School District earns an A from Niche and is among the top 100 highest-rated school districts in the state. “They have classes with fewer students and more activities,” Mills says. George West Primary and Elementary School are respectively the first and second-highest rated elementary campuses in Live Oak County with A ratings from Niche. George West Junior High also has an A and is one of the designated Niche standout middle schools in America. George West High School has a 10-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio with a B-plus. Employees with a valid handgun license are eligible to sign up as campus guardians after completing a background check and training course.
Two highways that lead to Corpus Christi
The main highways in and out of George West are U.S. Routes 59 and 281. Both routes connect around 9 miles northeast to Interstate 37, which runs over 60 miles southeast to the Corpus Christi International Airport. Driving 25 miles east on Route 59 leads to the 24-hour Christus Spohn Hospital in Beeville. The Rural Economic Assistance League provides public transportation throughout the county that can be reserved 24 hours in advance.
Local restaurants across a variety of cuisines
Most dining establishments are clustered downtown along Nueces Street. Rodeo Grill is a family-style restaurant specializing in chicken fried steak and enchiladas, while Lucky Seafood offers authentic Louisiana gumbo. Georgio’s serves hot subs and pizza slices, and locals have two choices for Mexican restaurants between Agave Jalisco and Mazatlán. Small businesses include dollar stores, travel centers and a Lowe’s Market grocery store.
