DeWitt County vs. Young County
Turkeys & Forts
Today’s match-up pairs the "Turkey Capital of the World" with a historic frontier fort community. DeWitt County, home to Cuero, is famous for its wildflowers and the Great Gobbler Gallop. Young County, home to Graham, features the largest downtown square in America and Fort Belknap. One is defined by playful tradition and agriculture; the other by military history and lakes.
DeWitt County (Population Approx. 19,000)
DeWitt County is wildflower country. Cuero, Yorktown, and Yoakum (shared) serve as hubs for a region rich in Eagle Ford Shale oil and agriculture. Cuero is famous for Turkeyfest, a race against a town in Minnesota. The vibe is spirited, historic, and colorful in the spring. Challenges include managing oilfield traffic and diversifying the economy.
Young County (Population Approx. 18,000)
Young County is the heart of the frontier. Graham features a massive downtown square and serves as a gateway to Possum Kingdom Lake. Fort Belknap preserves the history of the frontier defense. The economy relies on ranching, oil, and tourism. The community is proud, scenic, and deeply rooted in North Texas history.
Why It Matters
DeWitt County celebrates a unique agricultural history. Young County preserves the military history of the West. Both counties are vibrant rural communities fighting to keep their downtowns alive.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the festival volunteer in Cuero and the historian in Graham both build community.
In DeWitt County, the energy sector brings wealth and challenges. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who prioritize long-term infrastructure investments over short-term gains. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse towns work together.
In Young County, tourism is a growing asset. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize historic preservation and lake access. It ensures that the largest square in America remains a gathering place for everyone.
Did You Know…
Cuero (DeWitt) is the "Turkey Capital of the World" and races a turkey against Worthington, MN, every year at Turkeyfest.
Graham (Young) claims to have the largest downtown square in America (though others contest this, it is huge!).
Fort Belknap in Young County was a major post protecting the Texas frontier in the 1850s.
DeWitt County is considered the Wildflower Capital of Texas by many due to the sheer density of blooms.
The Cattle Raisers Museum was founded in Graham before moving to Fort Worth.
Why Texans Love Living Here
DeWitt residents love the Turkeyfest madness, the bluebonnet drives, and the strong community spirit. Young locals love the days on Possum Kingdom, the history of the fort, and the events on the big square.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Cuero Turkeyfest (DeWitt): A race, parade, and festival celebrating the bird.
Food Truck Championship of Texas (Graham/Young): A massive culinary event on the square.
Western Heritage Days (Yorktown/DeWitt): Celebrating local history.
Fort Belknap Crawford/Goodnight Living History: Stepping back in time.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
