Stamford blends cowboy heritage with small-town life
Stamford is a small town in West-Central Texas with a deep love for the countryside and cowboy life. Originally a ranching and railroad town in the 1900s, it faced an economic downturn during the Great Depression until the discovery of oil revitalized the town in 1935. Since then, the community has grown to a population of nearly 3,000 people with a rodeo event that welcomes thousands of visitors every year. “It’s simple and peaceful,” says Lisa Terrell, an Ekdahl Real Estate agent and resident of 20 years. “If you want to get out of the city, it’s a great place to live for quiet, small-town living.”
Hunting, lake life and West Texas history
Lake Stamford is a 5,000-acre reservoir around 20 miles northeast of town with recreational activities such as boating, fishing and waterskiing. Many campsites and RV parks surround the lake, as well as a few marinas where lakegoers can swim or launch their boats. “We also have a good crowd that comes into town every year to do a little hunting,” Terrell says. “They want to get out of the city and hunt for some whitetail deer, quail and dove.” The Stamford Golf & Country Club has a public nine-hole golf course, and the city park has a pool and playground. The Stamford Carnegie Library is one of five left standing in Texas, and the Museum of the West Texas Frontier covers the region's history in exhibitions and educational programs.
Rural properties needing renovation and ranch-style homes
Most of Stamford's homes line the grid-like streets east of Highway 6. Roads can be brick, asphalt or dirt and gravel. Patchy grass runs against cracked sidewalks. Fixer-uppers on quarter-acre lots cost between $20,000 and $55,000, while starter homes with patios and carports are $75,000 to $90,000. Ranch-style and traditional homes are most common and sell between $140,000 and $240,000.
A supportive community around Stamford ISD
The Stamford Independent School District is highly rated for its teachers and athletic programs, earning an A-minus on Niche. “Anything the kids are involved in, the community surrounds them and helps out, from helping them buy school supplies to supporting them when they go to the state football game,” Terrell says. “It’s always good for the town to rally around them.” Oliver Elementary and Stamford Middle both offer Gifted and Talented programs and have B-pluses on Niche. Stamford High School has an 8-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus.
Two highways between Abilene and Haskell
Highway 6 runs north and south through the town and connects over 20 miles northwest to U.S. Route 380 or southeast to U.S. Route 180. U.S. Route 277 leads 16 miles north to Haskell or 39 miles south to Abilene. The closest 24-hour emergency room is the Anson General Hospital 14 miles southwest.
Giddy up for annual events and the Texas Cowboy Reunion
The Texas Cowboy Reunion is an annual rodeo event that has welcomed over 20,000 visitors nationwide for 95 years. The celebration takes place over a four-day-long weekend after the Fourth of July that features horse races, roping competitions, cookoffs, art shows, live performances and a grand parade. The Stamford Chamber of Commerce celebrates the Best of Stamford during its annual spring banquet, and Breakfast With The Bunny offers free pancakes alongside a community Easter egg hunt. Market At The Park hosts local artisans at the city park in May, and the fall and Christmas festivals respectively take place in October and December.
Local cafes and fast food restaurants
Most restaurants are based north around Highway 6. Blue Jean Cafe is an American diner that serves burgers and sandwiches, while the Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant is popular for its tacos, fajitas and nachos. There are also fast food options like Sonic, Subway and Pizza Hut. Boutiques and other local retail are downtown, along with a Dollar General. A Walmart Supercenter is on the north end of town.
