Region: Panhandle Plains
Hereford, named for the Hereford cattle breed brought to this country in
1898, is the seat of Deaf Smith County. Deaf Smith County is named after Erastus
"Deaf" Smith, a scout, spy, soldier and hero of the Texas Revolution who
commanded Sam Houston's scouts at the Battle of San Jacinto. Hereford is deeply
rooted in cattle and agriculture. Fed by two underground aquifers, Hereford is
abundant in crops such as wheat, corn, milo, alfalfa and cotton. Deaf Smith
County is known as the "Beef Capital of the World" with more than 3 million head
of cattle fed annually in feed yards within a 50 mile radius of the city, making
it No. 1 in the world for beef production. Hereford is also the designated site
of two ethanol production plants and hosts a branch campus of Amarillo College.
Many historic structures can be found throughout city, including the Deaf
Smith County Courthouse. Built in 1910, it is the only courthouse in Texas built
entirely of white Georgia marble. 235 E. Third St.
Enjoy year-round swimming at the Hereford Aquatic Center at 400 E. 15th St.
Annual events include the Pioneer Days Celebration held Memorial Holiday
weekend; July Jubilee, a festival held during the last week of July in the city
park; Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping held the first weekend of August; and Beef
Capital of the World "Beef Cook-Off" Challenge held on the Saturday of the first
weekend of August at the VFW Memorial Park.