Gray County vs. Karnes County
Folk Songs & Fracking
Today’s match-up pairs the "Top of Texas" with the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale. Gray County, home to Pampa, is the place where Woody Guthrie found his voice. Karnes County, south of San Antonio, is home to the oldest Polish settlement in America and a massive oil boom. One is defined by wheat and folk music history; the other by Panna Maria and petroleum.
Gray County (Population Approx. 21,000)
Gray County sits in the center of the Panhandle. Pampa flourished during the 1920s oil boom and became a temporary home for Woody Guthrie. The economy is driven by oil, gas, and agriculture. The vibe is resilient and historic, with a love for the arts and the land. Challenges include diversifying the economy and maintaining infrastructure.
Karnes County (Population Approx. 15,000)
Karnes County is a place of deep roots and new money. Panna Maria is the oldest Polish settlement in the U.S., featuring a stunning historic church. In recent years, the Eagle Ford Shale boom transformed the economy, bringing jobs and traffic. The community balances its quiet agricultural heritage with the hustle of the oilfield. Challenges include road safety and housing.
Why It Matters
Gray County influenced American music. Karnes County influences American energy. Both counties show how global industries (oil) interact with deep local culture (folk music/Polish heritage).
Why Forward
Forward believes that the musician in Pampa and the driller in Karnes City both tell the story of Texas.
In Gray County, the cultural legacy is unique. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who honor the arts and economic stability, rather than partisan fighting. Ranked Choice Voting would help the community find consensus on development.
In Karnes County, the boom brings pressure. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize road safety ("Death Highway" issues) and community investment, ensuring that the oil wealth builds a lasting future for the Polish settlements.
Did You Know…
Woody Guthrie lived in Pampa (Gray) during the Dust Bowl era, influencing his legendary folk songs. The Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center is there today.
Panna Maria (Karnes) is the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the United States, founded in 1854.
The White Deer Land Museum in Pampa preserves the history of the cattle industry.
Karnes County has been one of the top oil-producing counties in the state during the Eagle Ford boom.
Pampa was named after the pampas grasslands of South America.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Gray residents love the "Coney Island" hot dogs (a local staple), the music history, and the Panhandle sunsets. Karnes locals love the kolaches (Polish style), the historic churches, and the economic opportunity of the shale.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Woody Guthrie Folk Music Festival (Pampa/Gray): Celebrating the legacy of the songwriter. (Note: Center is in Pampa, major fest is in OK, but Pampa hosts tribute events).
Lonesome Dove Fest (Karnes City): Celebrating the hunting season kickoff.
Panna Maria Homecoming: A gathering of descendants of the original Polish settlers.
Top o' Texas Rodeo (Pampa): A major regional event.
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:
