Local school anchors small West Texas farming community
Among the reddish flat plains of West Texas is Whitharral, a community with a longstanding, beloved school. The area, spanning just over a square mile, is surrounded by farmland. Also around Whitharral are wooden carvings and sculptures, many of which come from the local artist, Cam Dockery of Bearly Making It Chainsaw Carving. "I've lived here my whole life. It's a very small community of about 120 people," Dockery says. "The school is definitely the thing that keeps the town going. This is a farming community, so most people work in farming, and farmers mainly support the school." Whitharral was settled after sections of the nearby Littlefield Ranch were split up and sold as smaller lots in the 1920s.
All students attend the Whitharral School
Whitharral School receives a B-plus rating from Niche. "Our school is prekindergarten to [grade] 12. Everyone is in one building and it's been that way for a long time," Dockery says. Locals will celebrate the school's centennial during homecoming week in 2025 with a parade, a fun run and several other activities. The K-12 school provides an active athletics department for the community. The football team has had a winning streak over the last few years, and locals enjoy gathering at McCormack-Doshier Field for games. Students in grades three to eight can sign up for a three-day sports camp during the summer.
Traveling to Littlefield or Levelland for retail and dining
Whitharral has industrial companies that support the area's agricultural products, such as the cotton gin facility off Kansas Road. However, there aren't many commercial businesses. "We have half a post office and Bearly Making It Chainsaw Carving, but that's about it," Dockery laughs. Locals travel about 11 miles north to Littlefield or south to Levelland for groceries. Both cities have United Supermarkets locations. Levelland has a Walmart Supercenter and multiple downtown restaurant options.
Single-story ranch-style homes with outbuildings
Whitharral locals are accustomed to unobstructed views of fields and the clay dirt landscape. Pipe and chain link fences enclose many properties; some lots are suitable for raising livestock. The area features primarily single-story, brick ranch-style dwellings. Some come with additional structures like workshops, storage sheds or barns. Homes generally range in price from around $140,000 to $270,000.
Fishing at Lake Lobo Park and visiting Levelland-Oxy Sports Complex
Locals are likely to head to nearby Levelland to enjoy public green spaces. Lake Lobo Park is a popular fishing spot throughout the year. The city covers the park with artificial snow in wintertime, transforming it into Lobo Lake Sled Hill. The Levelland-Oxy Sports Complex has multiple athletic fields and a playground.
Driving to a historic church and larger cities
"[Whitharral] Baptist Church was established a long time ago. It will soon be 100 years old," Dockery says. The house of worship is on Third Street. This is a car-dependent community. Taking Highway 385 leads drivers to Littlefield and Levelland in roughly 10 miles. Residents can visit the 24-hour medical facilities, Lamb Healthcare Center or Covenant Hospital Levelland, in the nearby cities. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport is about 37 miles away.
Severe weather in Hockley County
The region has a history of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that can lead to wind damage. A powerful hailstorm in Hockley County led to widespread power outages in 2024. The county's Levelland-Hockley County Emergency Management department provides a notification system for weather risks and regional threats.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
