Region: South Texas Plains
The city is near the center of Live Oak County and was named for its founder,
George Washington West. West, a rancher, set out to build a town on the site of
his ranch. He built a courthouse, school, highways, bridges, waterworks, light
plant and a hotel. It became the seat of the county in 1919. The town is chiefly
a retail center and shipping point for surrounding ranch and farm area. The area
is experiencing a boom from the Eagle Ford Shale Play. Excellent hunting and
fishing are available in the area. It was designated as the Storytelling Capital
of Texas by the state Legislature, and an annual Storytelling Festival is held
the first weekend in November.