From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

City of Lubbock
—  City  —
Downtown Lubbock in 2005
Seal
Nickname(s): Hub City
Motto: The Giant Side of Texas
Location within the state of Texas
Coordinates: 33°33′53″N 101°52′40″W / 33.56472°N 101.87778°W / 33.56472; -101.87778Coordinates: 33°33′53″N 101°52′40″W / 33.56472°N 101.87778°W / 33.56472; -101.87778
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Lubbock
Government
- Type	Council-manager
- Mayor	Tom Martin
- City manager	Lee Ann Dumbauld
Area
- City	114.9 sq mi (297.6 km2)
- Land	114.8 sq mi (297.4 km2)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation	3,202 ft (992.4 m)
Population (2006)
- City	212,169
- Density	1,825.2/sq mi (704.7/km2)
- Metro	261,411
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	79401-79416, 79423, 79424, 79430, 79452, 79453, 79457, 79464, 79490, 79491, 79493, 79499
Area code(s)	806
FIPS code	48-45000[1]
GNIS feature ID	1374760[2]
Website	www.ci.lubbock.tx.us

Lubbock (pronounced /ˈlʌbək/^[3]) is an American city in the state of Texas. Located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, it is the county seat of Lubbock County, and the home of Texas Tech University. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 199,564, making it the 90th largest city in the United States and the 11th largest in Texas.^[4] The 2006 population was estimated to be 212,169.^[5] Lubbock County had an estimated 2006 population of 254,862.^[6]

Lubbock's nickname is the "Hub City" which derives from being the economic, education, and health care hub of a multi-county region commonly called the South Plains.^[7] The area is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world^[8][9] and is heavily dependent on irrigation water drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer.

History

The county of Lubbock was founded in 1876, named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock, a Confederate colonel and member of the Terry's Texas Rangers, a group of Texas volunteers for the Confederate Army.^[10] As early as 1884, a federal post office named Lubbock existed in Yellow House Canyon. However, the town of Lubbock was not founded until 1890, when it was formed from a unique merger arrangement between two smaller towns, "Old Lubbock" and Monterey. The terms of the compromise included keeping the Lubbock name but the Monterey townsite, so the previous Old Lubbock residents relocated south to the Monterey location, including putting Old Lubbock's Nicolette Hotel on rollers and pulling it across a canyon to its new home. In 1891 Lubbock became the county seat and on March 16, 1909 Lubbock was incorporated.

Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) has been a part of Lubbock since 1923. Its medical school, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, opened in 1969. Lubbock Christian University, founded in 1957, and Sunset International Bible Institute, both affiliated with the Churches of Christ, have their main campuses in the city. South Plains College and Wayland Baptist University operate branch campuses in Lubbock.

The city is home to the Lubbock Lake Landmark, part of the Museum of Texas Tech University. The landmark is an archaeological and natural history preserve at the northern edge of the city. It shows evidence of almost twelve thousand years of human occupation in the region. Another part of the museum, the National Ranching Heritage Center, houses historic ranch-related structures from the area.

In August 1951, a v-shaped formation of lights was seen over the city. The "Lubbock Lights" series of sightings received national publicity and is regarded as one of the first great UFO cases. The sightings were considered credible because they were witnessed by several respected science professors at Texas Technological College and were photographed by a Texas Tech student. The photographs were reprinted nationwide in newspapers and in Life magazine. Project Blue Book, the US Air Force's official study of the UFO mystery, did an extensive investigation of the Lubbock Lights. They concluded that the photographs were not a hoax and showed genuine objects. However, they did dismiss the UFOs themselves as being either "night-flying moths" or a type of bird called a plover. The Air Force argued that the underside of the plovers or moths was reflected in the glow of Lubbock's new street lights at night. However, other researchers have disputed these explanations, and for many the "Lubbock Lights" remain a mystery.

On May 11, 1970, the Lubbock Tornado struck the city. Twenty-six people died, and damage was estimated at $125 million. The downtown NTS Tower, then known as the Great Plains Life Building, at 271 feet (83 m) in height, is believed to have been the tallest building ever to survive a direct hit from an F5 tornado.^[11] Then Mayor Jim Granberry and the Lubbock City Council, which included Granberry's successor as mayor, Morris W. Turner, were charged with directing the task of rebuilding the downtown in the aftermath of the storm.

In 2008 Lubbock celebrated its centennial.

Geography

Lubbock is located at 33°33′53″N 101°52′40″W / 33.564735°N 101.877793°W / 33.564735; -101.877793 (33.564735, -101.877793).^[12] The official elevation is 3,256 feet (992 m) above sea level, but stated figures range from 3195 to 3281.^[13][14][15] Lubbock is considered to be the center of the South Plains, and is situated north of the Permian Basin and south of the Texas Panhandle.^[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 114.9 square miles (297.59 km²), of which, 114.8 square miles (297.33 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) of it (0.09%) is water.

Climate

Lubbock has a mild, semi-arid climate.^[16] On average, Lubbock receives 18 inches of rain and ten inches of snow per year.^[17]

Summers in Lubbock are hot, although temperatures usually drop 30 degrees overnight, creating lows between 60 °F (16 °C) and 70 °F (21 °C). Average high temperatures are about 90 °F (32 °C) in June, July, and August. The highest recorded temperature was 114 °F (46 °C) in 1994.^[18]

Winter days in Lubbock are typically sunny and relatively mild, but nights are cold with temperatures dipping below freezing.^[18][19]

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 199,564 people, 77,527 households, and 48,531 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,738.2 people per square mile (671.1/km²). There were 84,066 housing units at an average density of 732.2/sq mi (282.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.87% White, 8.66% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 14.32% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.45% of the population.

There are 77,527 households, of which 30.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 77,527 households, 3,249 are unmarried partner households: 2,802 heterosexual, 196 same-sex male, and 251 same-sex female households. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 17.9% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,844, and the median income for a family was $41,418. Males had a median income of $30,222 versus $21,708 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,511. About 12.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Lubbock area is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world and is heavily dependent on irrigation water drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer.^[20] However, the aquifer is being depleted at a rate that is not sustainable in the long term. Much progress has been made in the area of water conservation and new technologies such as Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) irrigation were originally developed in the Lubbock area. A pipeline to Lake Alan Henry is expected to supply up to 3.2 billion gallons of water per year upon completion in 2012.^[21]

Adolph R. Hanslik, who died in 2007 at the age of ninety, was called the "dean" of the Lubbock cotton industry, having worked for years to promote the export trade. Hanslik was also the largest contributor (through 2006) to the Texas Tech University Medical Center.^[22] He also endowed the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center's capital campaign for construction of a new library museum archives building in La Grange in Fayette County in his native southeastern Texas.^[23]

The ten largest employers in terms of the number of employees are: Texas Tech University, Covenant Health System, Lubbock Independent School District, University Medical Center, United Supermarkets, City of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, AT&T, Convergys, and Lubbock County. A study conducted by a professor at the Rawls College of Business determined that Texas Tech students, faculty and staff generate about $1.5 billion with about $297.5 million from student shopping alone.^[24]

Lubbock has one regional enclosed mall, South Plains Mall, which includes two Dillard's, JC Penney, Sears, and Bealls. More than 150 specialty retailers are located in the center, including Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever 21, Christopher & Banks, aerie, Aldo, Cardinal's Sports Center, American Eagle Outfitters, Buckle, Finish Line, Victoria's Secret, and many others.

Lubbock also has numerous open air shopping centers, most located in the booming Southwest area of Lubbock: Kingsgate Shopping Center includes numerous upscale tenants such as Malouf's, Anderson Bros. Jewelers, Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, Woodhouse Day Spa, Chico's, Harold's, Ann Taylor, and others. The Village Center is home to Zoo-kini's Restaurant, Ribbons & Bows, The Radiant Lily, Subway Restaurant, Cokesbury Books & Church Supplies, and others. Rockridge Plaza offers a Lowe's Grocery/Ace Hardware, O'Hana's Japanese Steakhouse, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, among other tenants.

Lubbock's newest, open air shopping center is Canyon West, located off the newly constructed Marsha Sharp Freeway (named after the renowned Texas Tech Women's Basketball coach, retired). Canyon West opened the first stores in mid-2007, with new stores continuing to open as of October 2008. Canyon West offers shoppers a new Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Petsmart, Office Depot, Ulta Salon & Cosmetics, Kirkland's, DSW Shoes, Rack Room Shoes, Rue 21, World Market, Ross, and LifeWay Christian Resources bookstore. In close proximity to Canyon West is a Starbucks (with drive-thru), Cracker Barrel restaurant, and Main Event - an indoor recreation and entertainment center.

As of March 2007, there are four Wal-Mart Supercenters in the city, with two having been recently completed. The downtown supercenter is at the intersection of Avenue Q and Mac Davis Lane across from the renovated Radisson Hotel.

Economic Development

Originally founded as Market Lubbock in 1997, the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) was established by the City to recruit new business and industry to Lubbock and to retain existing companies. LEDA's mission is to promote economic growth through the creation of high quality jobs, attract new capital investment, retain and expand existing businesses, and improve the quality of life in Lubbock, Texas.

Legalization of packaged alcohol sales

Up until May 9, 2009, Lubbock County and the City of Lubbock had an unusual legal situation regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages. The county allowed package sales but not "by the drink" sales except at private institutions such as country clubs. Inside the Lubbock city limits, the situation was reversed with restaurants and bars able to serve alcohol but liquor stores forbidden. Lubbock remained legally dry until an election on April 9, 1972, made liquor by the drink, but not package sales, legal, and Lubbock abandoned its distinction as the largest dry city in the country.^[25]

Previously, packaged alcohol could only be obtained under special circumstances. In 2006, the Lubbock City Council voted 5-1 to annex "The Strip", making package alcohol sales legal within the city limits. There existed, however, significant barriers to entry for stores outside "The Strip" area to sell packaged alcohol. The new annexation contributed a sales tax of 1.5 percent, or 10 cents for every 7 dollars, to the city. Because of state law, liquor sales were be limited to the newly annexed area.

Petition effort

On August 12, 2008 the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce announced that they would lead the effort to get enough signatures to force an up-or-down vote on allowing county-wide packaged alcohol sales.^[26] A Political Action Committee (PAC) entitled Let Lubbock Vote was formed shortly after for this purpose.^[27] A total of 18,747 signatures were required for the issue to be placed on the May 9, 2009 ballot.^[28] The petition drive kicked off on October 1, 2008 and was run by Texas Petition Strategies, a firm hired by the PAC.^[28] Within two weeks Texas Petition Strategies (TPS) had collected over 25,000 valid signatures on the two petitions which read "the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only" and "the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only."^[28] Another PAC called The Truth About Alcohol Sales, was formed in early October to oppose the petition.^[29] On November 12, 2008 Let Lubbock Vote turned in over 33,000 signatures to the county election administrator.^[30] Lubbock County Commissioners placed the issues on the May 9, 2009 ballot on December 22, 2008 after 25,720 signatures were verified by elections officials.^[31]

May 9 ballot

Early voting, for the May 9 ballot, began on April 27, 2009 and ended May 5, 2009, during this time about 41,000 ballots were cast.^{[31][32 ]} On May 9, election day, 9,552 voters cast ballots, bringing the total to approximately 50,700 or 35% of Lubbock County's registered voters.^{[32 ]} Proposition 1, which expanded the sale of packaged alcohol in the county, passed by nearly a margin of 2 to 1 with 64.5 percent in favor.^[31] Proposition 2, which legalized the sale of mixed-drink in restaurants county-wide, passed with 69.5 percent in favor.^[31]

Legal battle

Majestic Liquor, Inc. and Pinkie's, Inc., owners of several of the stores at the strip, filed suit against the city of Lubbock and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on May 4, 2009.^[31] In their lawsuit, the corporations claim that the ordinance unfairly discriminates amongst retailers, violating Texas State Law. The lawsuit states that the ordinance attempts to limit the size of packaged stores to 3,000 square feet (280 m²) in some areas, while other business do not have such a restriction.^{[33 ]} The two companies requested that a temporary restraining order be placed against the city and the TABC preventing the issuance of new alcohol sale permits.^{[32 ][33 ]} After the lawsuit was filed 237th District Judge Sam Medina issued the restraining order, which was effective until May 18, 2009 when a hearing on a temporary injunction was held.^{[33 ]} Following the hearing on May 18, 2009, the temporary injunction was extended for another 90 days.^{[34 ]}

On June 4, 2009 Lubbock city planners unanimously approved new ordinance amendments to address the concerns of the two companies.^{[35 ]} The amendments would remove size restrictions in zones that include major shopping centers, and would increase the limit from 3,000 square feet (280 m²) to 8,750 square feet (813 m²) in smaller commercial zones.^{[35 ]} The ordinance amendments were approved by the Lubbock City Council on June 23, 2009, but must be approved a second time before they are passed.^{[35 ][36 ]} The second reading of the amendments was held at the July 8, 2009 city council meeting, where the amendments were unanimously passed without discussion.^{[36 ][37 ]} The two retailers dropped the lawsuit August 10, 2009 after the new ordinance went into effect.^[38]

However, the legal challenges did not end there. On August 10, 2009, two Lubbock residents filed protests with the TABC citing that the May 9, 2009 vote is contrary to the wishes of voters in New Deal, Abernathy and parts of Lubbock.^{[39 ]} By Texas state law the wet or dry status of a smaller municipality, like a city or town, supersedes the status of a larger area, like a county.^{[39 ]} The protesters argued that if residents of a community voted at any point against the sale of alcohol, the May 9, 2009 vote would not be applicable to that community.^{[39 ]} Local officials had already heard this challenge shortly after the May 9, 2009 vote, and found that those rules did not apply.^{[39 ]} On September 3, 2009 the TABC dismissed the protests filed by the two residents stating that it was beyond the agency's authority.^[40] The TABC issued permits to more than 80 stores on September 23, 2009 bringing an end to the more than 4 months of legal battles.^{[41 ]}

Government

Lubbock has a council-manager government system, with all governmental powers resting in a legislative body called a city council.^[43] Voters elect six council members, one for each of Lubbock's six districts, and a mayor.^[43] The council members serve for a term of four years, and the mayor serves for two years.^[43] After the first meeting of the city council after newly elected council members are seated, the council elects a Mayor pro tempore who serves as mayor in absence of the elected mayor.^[43] The council also appoints a city manager to handle the ordinary business of the city.^[43] There are currently no term limits for either city council members or mayor.

The Lubbock Police Department was shaped by the long-term administration of Chief J.T. Alley (1923-2009), who served from 1957-1983, the third longest tenure in state history. Under Alley, the department acquired its first Juvenile Division, K-9 Corps, Rape Crisis Center, and Special Weapons and Tactics teams. He also presided over the desegregation of the department and coordinated efforts during the 1970 tornadoes.^[44]

Education

Lubbock High School

Texas Tech University

Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University, which was established on February 10, 1923, as Texas Technological College. It is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the sixth largest student body in the state of Texas. With 1,839 acres (7.44 km²), it has the second largest contiguous campus in the United States and is the only school in Texas to house an undergraduate institution, law school, and medical school at the same location. Altogether, the university has educated students from all 50 U.S. states and over 100 foreign countries. Enrollment has continued to increase in recent years and growth is on track with a plan to have 40,000 students by the year 2020.

Lubbock also has other college campuses in the city including Lubbock Christian University, South Plains College, Wayland Baptist University, and Sunset International Bible Institute.

Most of Lubbock is served by the Lubbock Independent School District. Small portions of Lubbock extend into the neighboring districts of Frenship, Lubbock-Cooper, and Roosevelt.

The Lubbock area is also home to many private schools, such as Christ the King High School, Christ the King Junior High, Christ the King Elementary, Trinity Christian High School, Kingdom Preparatory Academy, Lubbock Christian High School, and All Saints Episcopal School.

People and culture

Buddy Holly statue on the Walk of Fame

Lubbock is the birthplace of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly and features a cultural center named for him. The city previously hosted an annual Buddy Holly Music Festival. However, the event was renamed Lubbock Music Festival after Holly's widow increased usage fees for his name. Similarly, the city renamed the Buddy Holly West Texas Walk of Fame to honor area musicians as the West Texas Hall of Fame.^[45] On January 26, 2009, the City of Lubbock agreed to pay Holly's widow $20,000 for the next 20 years to maintain the name of the Buddy Holly Center. Additionally, land near the center will be named the Buddy and Maria Holly Plaza.^[46] Holly's legacy is also remembered through the work of deejays such as Bud Andrews and Virgil Johnson on radio station KDAV.^[47]

Lubbock's Memorial Civic Center hosts many events. Former Mayor Morris Turner (1931-2008), who served from 1972-1974, has been called the father of the Civic Center.

The city has also been the birthplace or home of several country musicians including Delbert McClinton, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely (collectively known as The Flatlanders), Mac Davis, Terry Allen, Lloyd Maines and his daughter, Dixie Chicks singer, Natalie Maines, Texas Tech alums Pat Green and Cory Morrow, and Coronado High School graduate Richie McDonald (lead singer of Lonestar until 2007). Pete Orta from the Christian rock group Petra, basketball players Craig Ehlo and Daniel Santiago, and football player Mason Crosby have also called Lubbock home. The city is also the birthplace of actor Chace Crawford (The Covenant, Gossip Girl), singer Travis Garland from the band NLT, and public interest attorney, author, and political activist William John Cox (Billy Jack Cox).

The National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, an annual event celebrating the prototypical Old West cowboy, takes place in Lubbock. The event is held in September and features art, music, cowboy poetry, stories, and the presentation of scholarly papers on cowboy culture and the history of the American West. A chuckwagon cook-off and horse parade also take place during the event.

Every year on July 4, Lubbock hosts the 4th on Broadway event, an Independence Day festival. The event is entirely free to the public, and is considered the largest free festival in Texas. The day's activities usually include a morning parade, a street fair along Broadway Avenue with food stalls and live bands, the Early Settlers' Luncheon, and an evening concert/fireworks program. Broadway Festivals Inc., the non-profit corporation which organizes the event, estimates a 2004 attendance of over 175,000 people. Additionally, the College Baseball Foundation holds events relating to its College Baseball Hall of Fame during the 4th on Broadway event.

Lubbock's main newspaper is the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which is owned by Morris Communications. Texas Tech University publishes a student-run daily newspaper called, The Daily Toreador.

Local TV stations include KTXT-TV-5 (PBS), KCBD-11 (NBC), KLBK-13 (CBS), KAMC-28 (ABC), and KJTV-TV-34 (Fox).

According to a study released by the non-partisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research, Lubbock is the second most conservative city in the United States with a population over 100,000.^[48]

Attractions

Joyland Amusement Park

A child watches the ducks at Higginbotham Park, one of Lubbock's some seventy-five municipal parks.

The National Ranching Heritage Center, a museum of ranching history, is located in Lubbock. It features a number of authentic early Texas ranch buildings as well as a railroad depot and other historic buildings. There is also an extensive collection of weapons on display. Jim Humphreys, late manager of the Pitchfork Ranch east of Lubbock, was a prominent board member of the center.

The Southwest Collection, an archive of the history of the region and its surroundings which also works closely with the College Baseball Foundation, is located on the campus of Texas Tech University, as are the Moody Planetarium and the Museum of Texas Tech University.

The Depot District, an area of the city dedicated to music and nightlife, is located in the old railroad depot area and boasts a number of theatres, upscale restaurants, and cultural attractions. The Depot District is also home to several shops, pubs and nightclubs, a radio station, a brewery, a magazine, a winery, a salon, and other establishments. Many of the buildings were remodeled from the original Fort Worth & Denver South Plains Railway Depot which originally stood on the site. The Buddy Holly Center, a museum highlighting the life and music of Buddy Holly, is also located in the Depot District. So is the restored community facility, the Cactus Theater.

Lubbock is also home to the Silent Wings Museum. Located on North I-27, Silent Wings features photographs and artifacts from the World War II era glider pilots.

The Science Spectrum is an interactive museum and IMAX Dome theatre with a special focus on children and youth.

Mackenzie Park

In March 1877 the Battle of Yellow House Canyon, which occurred during the Buffalo Hunters' War, took place at what is now the site of Mackenzie Park. Today Mackenzie Park is home to Joyland Amusement Park, Prairie Dog Town, and both a disc golf and regular golf course. The park also holds the American Wind Power Center, which houses over 100 historic windmills on 28 acres. Two tributaries of the Brazos River wind through Mackenzie Park, which is collectively part of the rather extensive Lubbock Park system.^[49][50] These two streams (Yellow House Draw and Blackwater Draw) converge in the golf course; downstream from their confluence the creek is known as the North Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River.

A Texas Tech Red Raiders football game

Sports

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have seventeen teams in eleven different varsity sports. Men's varsity sports at Texas Tech are baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track & field. Women's varsity sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The university also offers 30 club sports, including cycling, equestrian, ice hockey, lacrosse, polo, rodeo, rugby, running, sky diving, swimming, water polo, and wrestling. In 2006, the polo team, composed of Will Tankard, Ross Haislip, Peter Blake, and Tanner Kneese, won the collegiate national championship.^[51]

The football program has been competing since October 3, 1925. The Red Raiders have won eleven conference titles and been to 31 bowl games, winning five of the last seven.

The men's basketball program, started in 1925 and presently coached by Pat Knight, son of hall-of-famer and former Texas Tech coach Bob Knight, has been to the NCAA Tournament 14 times—advancing to the Sweet 16 three times.

Of the varsity sports, Texas Tech has had its greatest success in women's basketball. Led by Sheryl Swoopes and head coach Marsha Sharp, the Lady Raiders won the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 1993. The Lady Raiders have also been to the NCAA Elite Eight three times and the NCAA Sweet 16 seven times. In early 2006, Lady Raiders coach Marsha Sharp resigned and was replaced on March 30, 2006 by Kristy Curry, who had been coaching at Purdue.

Other sports at Tech include cross country, baseball, golf, tennis, track, ice hockey, soccer, softball, volleyball, and polo.

High school athletics also feature prominently in the local culture. In addition, Lubbock is the home of the Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian University. In 2007, the Lubbock Renegades began play as a member of the af2, a developmental league of the Arena Football League.

In 2007, the Lubbock Western All-Stars Little League Baseball team made it to the final four of the Little League World Series.^[52]

In 2009, the Lubbock Christian University baseball team won their second NAIA National Championship.^[53]

National Register of Historic Places

Warren and Myrta Bacon House

• Cactus Theater
• Canyon Lakes Archaeological District
• Carlock Building
• Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway Depot
• Fred and Annie Snyder House
• Holden Properties Historic District
• Kress Building
• Lubbock High School
• Lubbock Lake Landmark
• Lubbock Post Office and Federal Building
• South Overton Residential Historic District
• Texas Technological College Dairy Barn
• Texas Technological College Historic District
• Tubbs-Carlisle House
• Warren and Myrta Bacon House
• William Curry Holden and Olive Price Holden House

Transportation

Downtown Lubbock seen from I-27

The city's air services are provided by Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, which is named for the Lubbock businessman who became lieutenant governor and governor of Texas. It is located on the northeast side of the city. Public transportation is provided by Citibus, a bus transit system running Monday through Saturday every week with a transit center hub in downtown.

Lubbock is served by major highways. Interstate 27 (the former Avenue H) links the city to Amarillo and Interstate 40, a transcontinental route. I-27 was completed through the city in 1992 (it originally terminated just north of downtown). Other major highways include US 62 and US 82 which run concurrently (except for 4th Street (82) and 19th Street (62) through the city east-west as the Brownfield Highway (soon to be upgraded to Marsha Sharp Freeway, 19th Street (62 only), 4th Street/Parkway Drive (82 only) and Idalou Highway. US 84 (Avenue Q/Slaton Highway/Clovis Road) is also another east-west route running NW/SE diagonally. U.S. Highway 87 runs between San Angelo and Amarillo and follows I-27 concurrently. State Highway 114 runs east-west, following US 62/82 on the east before going its own way. Lubbock is circled by Loop 289, which suffers from traffic congestion despite being a potential bypass around the city, which is the reason behind I-27 and Brownfield Highway being built through the city to have freeway traffic flow effectively inside the loop.

The city is set up on a simple grid plan. In the heart of the city, numbered streets run east-west and lettered avenues run north-south — the grid begins at Avenue A in the east and First Street in the north. North of First Street, city planners chose to name streets alphabetically from the south to the north after colleges and universities. The north-south avenues run from A to Y. What would be Avenue Z is actually University Avenue since it runs along the east side of Texas Tech. Beyond that, the A-to-Z convention resumes, using U.S. cities found east of the Mississippi (e.g. Akron Avenue, Boston Avenue, Canton Avenue). Again, the Z name is not used, with Slide Road appearing in its place.

Lubbock has no inter-city rail service, although there have been various proposals over the years to remedy this. One, the Caprock Chief, would have seen daily service as part of a Fort Worth, Texas—Denver, Colorado service, but it failed to gain traction.^[54]

References

External links

Texas portal

• Visit Lubbock
• City of Lubbock Official Site
• Lubbock Area Parks
• Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
• Lubbock Economic Development Alliance
• Lubbock Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper
• Lubbock travel guide from Wikitravel
• Buddy Holly Walk
• Historical photos by Winston Reeves at Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University
• Other historical photos at Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University

Municipalities and communities of Lubbock County, Texas County seat: Lubbock Cities Abernathy‡ | Idalou | Lubbock | Shallowater | Slaton | Wolfforth Towns New Deal | Ransom Canyon Village Buffalo Springs CDP Reese Center Unincorporated communities Acuff | Heckville | Roosevelt | Slide | Woodrow Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

State of Texas Austin (capital) Topics Architecture | Climate | Culture | Demographics | Economy | Education | Geography | Government | History | Languages | Literature | Politics | Sports | Texans | Transportation | Symbols | Visitor Attractions Regions Ark‑La‑Tex | Big Bend | Blackland Prairies | Brazos Valley | Central Texas | Coastal Bend | Cross Timbers | Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex | Deep East Texas | East Texas | Edwards Plateau | Galveston Bay | Golden Triangle | Greater Houston | Hill Country | Llano Estacado | Longview–Marshall | Northeast Texas | North Texas | Osage Plains | Panhandle | Permian Basin | Piney Woods | Rio Grande Valley | Southeast Texas | South Plains | South Texas | West Texas Metropolitan areas Abilene | Amarillo | Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos | Beaumont–Port Arthur | Brownsville–Harlingen | College Station–Bryan | Corpus Christi | Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington | El Paso | Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown | Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood | Laredo | Longview | Lubbock | McAllen–Edinburg–Mission | Midland | Odessa | San Angelo | San Antonio–New Braunfels | Sherman–Denison | Texarkana | Tyler | Victoria | Waco | Wichita Falls Counties See: Table of Texas counties  or List

Mayors of cities with populations of 100,000 in Texas     Annise Parker (Houston) Julian Castro (San Antonio) Tom Leppert (Dallas) Lee Leffingwell (Austin) Mike Moncrief (Fort Worth) John Cook (El Paso) Robert Cluck (Arlington) Joe Adame (Corpus Christi) Phil Dyer (Plano) Raul Gonzalez Salinas (Laredo) Tom Martin (Lubbock) Ronald E. Jones (Garland) Herbert A. Gears (Irving) Debra McCartt (Amarillo) Pat Ahumada (Brownsville) Charles England (Grand Prairie) Johnny Isbell (Pasadena) John Monaco (Mesquite) Richard F. Cortez (McAllen) Ron Branson (Carrollton) Virginia DuPuy (Waco) Bill Whitfield (McKinney) Mark Burroughs (Denton) Timothy L. Hancock (Killeen) Norm Archibald (Abilene) Becky Ames (Beaumont) Wes Perry (Midland) Alan McGraw (Round Rock) Dean Ueckert (Lewisville) Bill Keffler (Richardson) Lanham Lyne (Wichita Falls)

From Wikitravel

Lubbock [1][2] is the largest city in the Panhandle of Texas and serves as the area's agricultural and economic hub. Lubbock, commonly known as the Hub City, is in the center of the South Plains, an expansive cotton-growing region. Lubbock has experienced steady growth for several decades and today occupies approximately 125 mi² (324 km²). The city is home to some 217,000 residents and students. Lubbock is the seat of Lubbock County, the site of state and national parks, two major medical systems, three universities, and is unique among other growing Texas cities in that its sustained economic development and growth are not supported by heavy industry.

Lubbock County was founded in 1876 and named after Thomas S. Lubbock, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and subsequent Confederate officer. Mr. Lubbock didn't have any particular ties to the area; but the area bore his name because a state administrator penciled in names of counties on a crude map of the Panhandle - at random. The modern town of Lubbock was not established until 1890 when old-Lubbock and the smaller town of Monterey struck an unusual alliance and merged the two communities, a deal most likely initiated by rival town promoters hired by area ranchers and merchants to lobby Ft. Worth & Denver for a rail depot. The site of Monterey was chosen in lieu of the new township's name, Lubbock. Old-Lubbock's residents relocated to Monterey just south of the the Yellowhouse Canyon, dragging the Nicollete Hotel with them on rollers. Lubbock became the county seat in 1891 and incorporated as a city in 1909.

In 1923 Texas Technological College was founded after a contentious bid war among several area cities including Amarillo and Plainview. The city of Lubbock was a mile away from the only campus building during its first session.

A category F-5 tornado cut a 8-mile (13 km) gash through the city on the evening of May 11, 1970, resulting in $125 million in property damage and the loss of 26 lives. The devastation received international news coverage and was among the first natural disaster recoveries to be documented on television. The coordinated effort served as a model for disaster recovery research and planning. The destruction of several thousand homes effectively ended segregation throughout the city.

• 33º35' N, 101º51'W

• Elevation: 3256 ft (992 m)

Lubbock is the largest developed area atop the Llano Estacado plateau. The area, when first explored, was a featureless grassland, and, according to legend, Spanish conquistadors drove large, brightly-colored stakes into the ground to plot their position. The region was later named the staked plains or Llano Estacado. The first settlers encountered banditos or native Comanche who would often hold new arrivals for ransom. The portion of the Caprock Escarpment just east of Lubbock is known as Ransom Canyon.

Get in

By air

Southwest Airlines, Continental Express, Delta and American Eagle service the small Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (IATA: LBB) 5 mi (8 km) north of downtown. Air travel to Lubbock will most likely require a connecting flight in Dallas or Houston, as there are few direct flights, although Southwest has nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Albuquerque, El Paso, and Austin, as well as Dallas. Delta has two direct flights per day to Memphis. Cab fare to the Downtown area or Texas Tech is $13 to $18. Fare to the hotels along the south and southwest beltway range from $20 to $25. Royal Coach offers posted rates from the airport into the city. The fare is based on a zoned map ranging from $6 to $24, depending on your destination.

By car

Lubbock is easily accessible by car. US 62/82, US 84, I-27, US 87 and TX 114 are well maintained roadways which allow for easy driving in and out of the city. A modern beltway, TX Loop 289, offers a quick shortcut around the city's notoriously absent congestion.

By bus

TNM&O is the local Greyhound affiliate and offers connecting lines to all major U.S. cities. Arrivals occur most often in daylight, while a majority of the departures occur at dawn or dusk. The TNM&O terminal also serve as its corporate offices. The closed Bus Stop Diner, on the 13th St. side of the terminal, is rumored haunted by the city's transients. TNM&O administrators blame the dust.

Get around

By car

Lubbock is developed along a large scale grid. North-south streets are labeled A-Z Downtown and progress to city and state names moving west. East-west streets are numbered from 1 to 150 or so. Streets north of Downtown follow the names of colleges and universities, while those east of Downtown are flowers and trees. Block ranges, house numbering and street names are consistent throughout the city and most follow alphabetical order. All major roadways are 1 mi (1.6 km) from each other in either direction and are uniformly straight.

• The intrastate I-27, which connects Amarillo and Lubbock, terminates south of the TX SR 289 interchange.

• The interchange of 66th St., US 84 and I-27 was once the site of a notorious intersection called The Circle. Avenues A, H, Q, Tahoka Rd. and Slaton Rd. converged in a three lane vaulted hub a half-mile in diameter. Avenues Q & A were not realigned after the I-27 project covered most of Avenue H. The remaining intersection is still very tricky at the northeast corner.

• TX SR 289, often called The Loop or 289 by locals, can be congested along its southwest portion during business hours.

• Construction of the Marsha Sharp Freeway will cause severe disruptions near Texas Tech University and Downtown.

By bus

The city's public transit authority, Citibus, operates fixed bus routes throughout the city. The system relies on a pulse-based schedule which originates at the Downtown Transfer Plaza. A one-way trip is $1, and a day pass is $2. The drivers operate electronic fare boxes and do not carry change. Most routes pass through Texas Tech University and the two medical centers. The city is quite large so using the transit may be inconvenient.

By taxi

The city's only taxicab service, Yellow Cab, is very reliable and offers reasonable fares. Reserving pick-up times is recommended. Plan your trip before calling, as the dispatchers are often extremely busy. It is best to offer your mobile phone number when arranging a pick-up. Drivers will phone you when they are a few blocks away. Yellow Cab also carries several thousand contract passengers everyday so be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes in the late afternoon or early morning. 806 765-7777, Available 24 Hours/day.

See

Lubbock is one of those rare cities where history permeates everything, and as a result most locals know at least something about the city's history. Most are content with knowing the area, and specifically the city, are of some historical import. There are plenty of folks who are willing to share a few details about their home without repeating the "Buddy Holly is from here" bit.

• American Museum of Agriculture, 1501 Canyon Lake Dr., 806 239-5796, [3]. W-Fr 10AM-5PM, $3. Founded in 2001 as a cooperative by local agricultural leaders to preserve the area's history. Also the permanent home of the Lubbock County Historical Collection. The collection ranges from household trinkets to farm equipment and implements.

• American Wind Power Center, 1501 Canyon Lake Dr., 806 747-8734, [4]. Tu-Sat 10AM-5PM, $3. Offers a unique experience into the history of wind power from the Old West to today. The center has restored 120 windmills which survived the scrap drives during WWII. Most are scattered along the 28-acre (11 ha) grounds shared by the American Museum of Agriculture. The center operates the city's first wind-turbine which powers the center, the neighboring museum, and 40 homes adjacent to the grounds.

• Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Ave. G, 806 767-2686, [5]. Tu-Fr 10AM-6PM, Sat 11AM-6PM, $5. The Buddy Holly Center occupies the renovated Ft. Worth & Denver South Plains Railroad Depot. Houses touring and permanent exhibits focusing on music history, local artists and special programs. A giant-size replica of Buddy Holly's trademark glasses rest on the grounds. The center is the anchor for the Depot District.

• Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Ave. K, 806 762-8606, [6]. FACILITY IS UNDER RENOVATION. Home to several performing arts ensembles and theater troupes. The Underwood's galleries feature local artists. The facility includes a performance hall, meeting spaces and a sculpture garden. The Underwood pioneers hands-on workshops and an innovative class series.

• Silent Wings Museum, 6202 N I-27, 806 775-2047, [7]. Tues - Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM, $5. The Silent Wings is dedicated to the glider pilots who trained in Lubbock and nearby Plainview during the second World War. The museum occupies the old Lubbock Regional Airport terminal which was abandoned after the 1970 tornado.

Parks

The City of Lubbock operates some 75 parks throughout the city. Most border a system of playa lakes which the city uses for flood water retention.

• Clapp Park/Lubbock Garden and Arts Center, 42nd St. & University Ave., 806 767-3724, [8]. Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM (Varies). The Lubbock Garden is situated in small complex including the Memorial Rose Garden and St. Paul's on the Plain in Clapp Park. Mini-Lubbock is a playground sculpture which sits along the south end of the park near 48th St. The sculpture is used to teach elementary school children about traffic safety.

• Huneke Park/Lubbock War Memorial, 84th St. & Nashville Ave., 806 794-9006, [9]. The memorial opened in 2004 after years of lobby by local veterans. The monument consists of thousands of memorial bricks donated by survivors, veteran's families and friends. The memorial is popular at night because Huneke Lake has three illuminated fountains colored red, white and blue.

• Maxey Park/The Kenetic Wind Sculpture, 24th St. & Quaker Ave., Maxey Park is a popular park adjacent to Covenant Lakeside Hospital. There are several public use buildings, a large playground, and a seating area with open grills for outdoor cooking. The Kenetic Wind Sculpture sits in the northwest corner of Maxey Lake. Most locals call them the Totem Poles. Bruce Taylor, designed the sculpture in 1992, and claimed during their induction they are supposed to be cotton fiber molecules.

Texas Tech University

The Texas Tech University university campus is 2 mi² (5 km²) of mixed-use buildings, rich landscape, a natural rangeland preserve and a student-run golf course. The campus is renowned for its Spanish-style architecture. Walking the campus early morning or late afternoon are best to avoid the throngs of students. Park in the surrounding neighborhoods for free or on campus for $1 to $2 per hour. There are greeters posted at most entrances who will offer directions and instructions for using the electronic meters. On the campus grounds are several outstanding buildings and amazing artwork. A few hours worth of walking is well worth it. Be sure to visit Memorial Circle, Student Union & University Library, English & Philosophy Complex, Sports Complex and Urbanovsky Park.

• The University Seal & Fountain - University Ave. & Broadway, A 12 ft (4 m) red granite sculpture depicting the symbols for home, school, church and state. Graduates traditionally have their picture taken next to the seal in full gown with friends and family.

• Park Place - College of Human Sciences, Sculpture garden by Glenna Goodacre installed in 1999. The sculpture's seven pieces depict the seven stages of human life in honor of the College of Human Sciences.

• Will Rogers & Soapsuds - Memorial Circle, 10 FT bronze statue of Will Rogers and his famed horse. The student body voted during its installation in 1950 to turn the horses posterior towards Texas A&M University in College Station - traditional rivals. The statue is wrapped in red crêpe paper by the Saddle Tramps, a student organization, before home football games and black crêpe after national tragedies.

• Student Union Building, Sculpture Garden and Library - 15th St. & Boston Ave., A paved walkway between the newly renovated Student Union Building and Library features several memorial pieces and the controversial Whirlwind series which continues into the Student Union. The foyer and main reading room of the Library also house several sculptures and paintings.

University Libraries

• International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Ave., 806 742-2974, [10]. An extension of the Libraries of Texas Tech which focuses on audio/visual studies and education. The center's libraries contains a far-reaching collection of foreign language film and music.

• Southwest Collection, 15th St. & Detroit Ave., 806 742-3749, [11]. The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library houses the Archive of Turkish Oral Narrative [12], Vietnam Archive [13], Sowell Collection [14] and the West Texas Historical Association [15]. The building is behind the gazebo-sculptures at 15th & Boston Ave. and north of the Agriculture Pavilion. The building is marked but tucked away from the intersection. The collection will host an exhibit, “Medieval Southwest: Manifestations of the Old World in the New” from Aug. 13, 2008 through through April 4, 2009. The multidisciplinary collaboration will draw on the expertise of historians, musicians, architects and anthropologists; utilize the resources of Texas Tech campuses on two continents; and tap dozens of collections of rare and precious items to give visitors a glimpse of the Southwest as it was during the days of Coronado and Mission San Sabá.

• University Library, 15th St. & Boston Ave., 806 742-0737, [16]. Main library on campus and the largest research library in the region. The building was designed to resemble a bookshelf, but the red brickwork and tall white arches give the library a distinctive radiator appeal. The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism [17] is on the 3rd floor.

University Museums

• Lubbock Lake Landmark, 2401 Landmark Ln., 806 742-1116 [18], Tu-Sat 9AM-5PM, Mon 1PM-5PM. The landmark is a natural history and archaeological preserve on the northwest corner of the city. Visitors can take a three-mile walking tour of the grounds. The landmark documents and preserves evidence of over 12,000 years of continuous human occupation in the region. The facility is designated a National Historic and State Archaeological Landmark.

• Moody Planetarium, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-2442, [19]. The 78-seat planetarium features a talk radio-style show called WSKY, hosted by Dr. Cosmos. Seating is limited. There is a observatory available to the public at dusk most nights. UNDER MAJOR RENOVATION.

• Museum of Texas Tech University, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-2442 [20]. Founded in 1929, the Museum is a major center of scientific research and houses the Diamond M Fine Arts Collection, portions of the Southwest Collection and a newly construction research center.

• National Ranching Heritage Center, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-0498, [21]. A historical park adjacent to the Museum containing several dozen authentic ranch buildings and exhibits on ranching heritage and the livestock industry. The center is often populated by players depicting life in a late 19th Century ranching town. UNDER MAJOR RENOVATION.

Do

Festivals

Texans love a good party, and Lubbockites are no exception. Lubbock plays host to some of the most-attended outdoor events in the country. Most of these events are not well-known outside the area, and are blessedly free of tourists.

• Lubbock Arts Festival, [22]. April, 2nd or 3rd Weekend, $15. The largest arts festival in the region combining fine arts, arts & crafts, food and music. The festival traditionally features an exhibit of Texan studio art. Sponsored by the Lubbock Arts Alliance and local businesses. The event grows in popularity each year with 20 to 30,000 attending.

• Ulterior Motifs, [23]. April or May, FREE. Annual art exhibition sponsored by the Wheeler Brothers Gallery. The event attracts rock, folk and country music acts, performance artists and assorted strange people. The opening celebration often begins in the Depot District and ends with a midnight concert near the Wheeler Brothers Gallery. Ulterior Motifs is heavily promoted as the alternative arts event of the year. Originally conceived as a single event, the exhibition has become an annual feature.

• 4th on Broadway, [24]. Independence Day, FREE. The largest free festival in Texas! Every year over 100,000 people will walk along the 1/2 mile (4/5 km) portion of Broadway blocked off for the street fair. At dusk the festival moves into the canyon for concert and fireworks. The Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra is featured during the fireworks. Space and parking are at a premium, especially in the evening.

• National Cowboy Symposium, [25]. September, 1st Weekend, $15. A modest gathering of 20 to 50 thousand enthusiasts celebrating the prototypical cowboy. Features music, lecture series, cook-offs and horse show.

• Fiestas del Llano, [26]. September, 2nd or 3rd Weekend, $5. Cultural festival which focuses on Hispanic history and traditions. Between 10 and 20,000 attend this festival each year. The folk-dance and conjunto banda competitions are very popular.

• Panhandle-South Plains Fair, [27]. September, Last Week, $20 & Parking $5-$15. The nine-day festival is one of the largest regional fairs in the nation. As many as 300,000 people have been known to tread the fairgrounds during fair week. The carnival midway and concerts are the most popular, especially in the evening. Parking is an absolute nightmare. Take a taxi, but be prepared to wait.

Wineries

Lubbock is prone to fits of severe weather, but the relatively stable climate year round has allowed a small local winery industry to flourish.

• Cap*Rock Winery, 408 E Woodrow Rd., 806 863-2704, [28]. An award-winning winery south of Lubbock.

• Llano Estacado Winery, FM 1585 & US 87 (3 mi (5 km) East), 806 745-2258, [29]. What began as an experiment by biologists at Texas Tech, has become a successful, self-sufficient winery. Wines from Llano Estacado are considered a flagship for Texas wines. The winery will host tours. Call for schedule.

• Pheasant Ridge Winery, I-27 at Exit 15 (3 mi (5 km) East), 806 746-6033, [30]. A new and very promising winery north of Lubbock.

• Joyland Amusement Park, Mackenzie Park, 806 763-2719, [31], $5-$10. A small park with plenty of carnival-style rides, and a tram line. The park also features three rollercoasters, the most recent addition being the shuttle-loop style coaster Greezed Lightning, which was purchased from the former Six Flags Astroworld in Houston. Schedule varies, but open most weekends from spring to fall.

• Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289, 806 745-6299, [32]. M-Fr 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 1AM-5PM, $5-$10. An interactive science museum with over 250 permanent exhibits and touring exhibits throughout the year. The Science Spectrum is well-known throughout the area and very popular during weekends. The OMNI domed theater is in the same facility.

• Ballet Lubbock, 5702 Genoa Ave., 806 785-3090, [33]. Founded in 1969, Lubbock Ballet is the only ballet company with a pre-professional school in the region. The company's annual staging of The Nutcracker with the help of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra smashes attendance records each year. Lubbock Ballet hosts several events and competitions throughout the year.

• Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 806 762-3233, [34]. The 400-seat Cactus originally opened in 1938 as a second-run theater. The unique venue closed after television and the drive-in fad in the late '50s cut audiences to a bare minimum. Local notable, Don Caldwell, re-opened the Cactus in the early '90s as a center for live music in the Depot District.

• Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, 1313 Broadway, 806 762-1688, [35]. The LSO was first established in 1945 when the city's superintendent of schools demanded each school have an orchestra teacher as well as a band teacher. The men and women recruited to teach were the first members of the LSO. In 1967 the LSO was reorganized as a professional organization. The orchestra maintains an extensive music score library.

• OMNI Theater, 2579 S. Loop 289, 806 745-6299, [36]. $5-$10, Call for Showtimes. The only large-format theater in area, and its well-known 60-foot (18 m), 160-degree panoramic screen. Before each screening, a light and sound show shows off the theater's 80,000 watt sound system, featuring music from local composers.

• Texas Tech Red Raiders, [37]. Red Raider sports maintain year-round popularity in Lubbock, offering football, baseball, basketball, and a host of other sporting contests. The football team plays its home games from September to December at Jones AT&T Stadium, and the mens' and womens' basketball contests are held at the United Spirit Arena.

Learn

Public and private education in Lubbock are recognized state-wide and nationally. The economic contribution the city's education industry makes to this area is brought home during the summer months when business cools compared to the well-known summer heat.

• Lubbock Christian University, 19th St. & Dover Ave., [38]. A liberal arts, Christian university associated with the Church of Christ. Enrollment varies between 1,750 and 2,500 students. The university attracts a large number of non-religious students.

• Texas Tech University, Broadway & University Ave., [39]. The largest university in west Texas, with upwards of 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university is a public institution governed by a Board of Regents appointed by the Governor of Texas.

• Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., [40]. Established in 1961 as the School of Medicine at Texas Tech University. The TTUHSC operates regional campuses in Amarillo and El Paso. The University Medical Center [41] and its associated health system are a service operated in partnership with area governments and the TTUHSC.

• Wayland Baptist University, 19th St. & Iola Ave., [42]. One of twelve campuses throughout the country, Wayland's Lubbock facility offers several business certificate and degree programs.

• Cotton Patch Cafe, 6810 Slide Rd. This joint has the best battered chicken fried steak to be found.

• Jumbo Joe's, various locations. Pretty good hamburgers. While there are many locations in town, the one at 1520 Avenue Q definitely has the best burgers and usually runs a $1.99 burger and fries special.

• Spanky's , 811 University. The best burgers in town. Spanky's has two levels to handle the fairly busy lunch hour. Even when busy, the service is quick and friendly.

• Gardski's, 2009 Broadway St. They have a spread like Chili's, you can get chicken dishes, pasta, salads, etc. and the food is amazing and the service is awesome, very friendly.

• Bash Riprocks [43], 2419 Main St, is a longtime mainstay of Lubbock's night life, offering excellent old-fashioned burgers and fries as well as an extensive list of domestic and imported beers. Live music is also featured on the weekends.

• Stella's Restaurant, 4646 50th St. The city's best fine dining. The bread they give you before the meal is delectable, and they have many interesting Italian concoctions.

• Orlando's, 6951 Indiana Ave. and 2402 Avenue Q . Everything at Orlando's is unique and exciting. Their minestrone soup is out of this world, as well as so many more of their fantastic dishes.

• Abuelo's, 82nd and Quaker - the original location of a hugely successful restaurant that serves delicious tex-mex. Expect a wait for tables on most nights. Great standard fare of enchiladas, tamales, tacos - but also some interesting and delicious gourmet specialties such as grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon, etc. Also, highly recommended sangria swirl margaritas!

• La Malinche, 1105 2nd pl. Open for breakfast and lunch on Wednesday-Monday. This Mexican Restaurant is the definition of "hole in the wall," but the food is delicious, cheap, and the locals love it (especially the homemade tortilla chips).

• Rosa's, various locations. A good place to go if you are in a hurry. Rosa's is a fast food/sit down Mexican food restaurant that is a favorite and frequented by many locals.

• Mi Tio's, 7412 University Ave. The best place in town to get margaritas. The food is below par, but the drinks are out of this world. You should stop by here for margaritas, then head to Ruby Tequila's just down the road for dinner.

• Ruby Tequila's, 8601 University Ave. Some of the best Tex-Mex in town. The sunset fajitas are by far the best item on the menu.

• Giorgios Pizza, 1018 Broadway St, just east of the NTS Tower. This place has some of the best pizza and calzones in town. The food is terrific, and the service is great, as you will be greeted as "my friend" even though George has never met you. Please note that this restaurant is only open from 10AM-6PM on weekdays. It is home to the Texas-sized pizza which is the largest pizza in the city.

• One Guy from Italy Pizza, with two Lubbock locations (1019 University and 4902 34th St. #35) is an excellent restaurant known for its hand-tossed pies and large calzones. The original location has been a favorite of hungry Tech students for more than two decades.

• Thai Thai, 5018 50th St. The restaurant has made a recent appearance in Texas Monthly, and serves up some tasty food. Be sure to get a Thai tea to wash it down.

• Thai Pepper, 19th near Covenant Hospital. Another good Thai restaurant. Try the Pad Thai.

• Choochai Thai, 2330 19th Street, just east of University. This is arguably the best Thai food in the Panhandle, but be warned-- if you like your food spicy, stick with the mild or medium varieties. Ordering your meal "spicy" or "extra spicy" is not for the faint of heart (or stomach). The cook is usually very good about making sure that you really want it the way you order it.

• Rudy's, Slide and the Loop, delicious brisket, turkey, chicken sausage, and ribs - served with your choice of creamed corn, cole slaw, beans. Fun atmosphere with shared picnic-style tables and self-serve condiments and beverages.

• Mesquite's Barbecue and Steaks, 2419 Broadway, is known region-wide for its slow smoked briskets, pulled pork sandwiches, and top-notch steaks. The onion rings are also a local favorite. They also offer a wide variety of Tex-Mex favorites such as burritos and chimichangas.

• Tom and Bingo's BBQ, 3006 34th St., Tom and Bingo's has some of the best BBQ sandwiches ever. Make sure to stop by this great place during lunchtime as they close once all the meat has been served for the day.

• The Depot District, surrounding the Buddy Holly Center, is the main place to go out for a night on the town. This collection of clubs, coffee houses and live music venues along Buddy Holly Avenue pay homage to Lubbock's most famous son, and the area's rich musical heritage.

• Bash Riprock's. This Main St. club, a longtime Texas Tech favorite, hosts live music on the weekends and boasts an extremely wide variety of domestic and import beers on tap.

• Jake's, [44]. Live music and and good drinks.

• Chimy's, A local favorite for margaritas located on Broadway close to Tech

• Cricket's Great beer selection, close to Tech

• Best Western Lubbock Windsor Inn, 5410 Interstate 27, +1 806 762-8400, Fax: +1 806 762-0303, [45].

• Best Western Palms Hotel & Suites, 6015 45th Street, +1 806 799-9999, Fax: +1 806 799-3344, [46].

• Courtyard Lubbock, 4011 South Loop 289, +1 806 795-1633, Fax: +1 806 795-6006, [47].

• Embassy Suites , 5215 South Loop 289, +1 806 771-7000, [48] (the best hotel in Lubbock).

• Fairfield Inn Lubbock, 4007 South Loop 289, +1 806 795-1288, Fax: +1 806 795-1288, [49].

• Hawthorne Suites, 2515 19th Street, +1 806 765-8900, Fax: +1 806 765-5322, [50].

• Holiday Inn, 801 Avenue Q, +1 806 763-1200, [51].

• Holiday Inn, 3201 South Loop 289, +1 806 797-3241, [52].

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 5806 I-27, +1 806 687-2500, [53].

• Motel 6, 909 66th Street, +1 806 745-5541, Fax: +1 806 748-0889, [54].

• Residence Inn Lubbock, 2551 S Loop 289, +1 806 745-1963, Fax: +1 806 748-1183, [55].

• TownePlace Suites Lubbock, 5310 West Loop 289, +1 806 799-6226, Fax: +1 806 799-6256, [56].

Stay safe

Crime in Lubbock is on par with other cities its size, and showcased attractions such as the Depot District are well policed. As with any unfamiliar place, vigilance and awareness are advised.

During the spring months, weather in Lubbock can grow rather tumultuous in rapid fashion. Weather warnings are not to be ignored during severe weather season. The city is also subject to frequent dust storms during the spring; and while not exactly dangerous, these storms are often severe enough to limit visibility. Drive with care, and give yourself a few more car length's worth of reaction time.

• Kadampa Meditation Center Texas , 2801 42nd St., +1 817-303-2700, [57]. Offers relaxation meditations and meditation classes to increase inner peace.

• Buffalo Springs Lake. Located southeast of the city on FM 835, this reservoir provides a welcome respite from the hot West Texas summer. Sandy beaches, camping areas with barbecue pits, and boat slips and fishing piers are available. Small entry fee. Open year round.

Amarillo ← Abernathy ←	N  S	→ END
Amarillo ← Abernathy ←	N  S	→ Lamesa → Big Spring
Las Vegas ← Clovis ←	NW  SE	→ Post → Abilene
El Paso ← Wolfforth ←	SW  NE	→ Paducah → Childress
Alamogordo ← Wolfforth ←	SW  NE	→ Wichita Falls → Gainesville