The town began in 1926 when oil was discovered in the Hendrick oil field in Winkler County. By the next year, the Wink Townsite Co. began selling lots on a local ranch. The oil boom brought new people to the town, causing a shortage of housing. Wink was originally named Winkler, in honor of C.M. Winkler, a colonel in the Confederate Army, a member of the Texas Legislature and a justice of the Court of Civil Appeals. The county also was named for him. However, the post office said there was already a Winkler, and the name was shortened to Wink. Today, Wink's economy is still based on the petroleum industry, as well as ranching.