Region: Panhandle Plains
The town of Lubbock was incorporated on March 16, 1909. It became the center of commerce, medicine, education and entertainment for West Texas and eastern New Mexico. It was labeled the "Hub of the Plains." Today, Lubbock is home of Texas Tech University and legendary ranching and music heritage. It also is a city of industry, technology, oil, agriculture, warehousing, medicine and culture.
Annual events include the Panhandle-South Plains Fair, one of the largest regional fairs in the state, held the last week in September. The Lubbock Arts Festival, held in April, features performers and visual artists from across the nation.
The National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration features cowboy poets, musicians, storytellers, artists, historians, authors, editors, photographers, cooks and honest-to-goodness-cowboys who gather to explore the traditions of the American frontier. This event is usually held the Thu.–Sun. after Labor Day weekend. 806/798-7825.
West Texas musicians influenced the music scene, and Lubbock's own Buddy Holly played a major role. Follow his life in the Buddy Holly Historical Tour, which includes his church, a recording studio, high school and grave.
Lubbock lies on I-27/U.S. 84, which is a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.