Jim Wells County vs. Archer County
Tejano Roots & Archer City Writers
Today’s match-up contrasts the birthplace of Tejano music with the inspiration for The Last Picture Show. Jim Wells County, in South Texas, is a cultural and agricultural hub known as the "Hub of South Texas." Archer County, near Wichita Falls, is famous for its literary history and oil fields. One is defined by accordion rhythms and Alice; the other by the stark prose of Larry McMurtry.
Jim Wells County (Population Approx. 39,000)
Jim Wells County connects the brush country to the coast. Alice, the county seat, was a major cattle shipping point and is known as the "Birthplace of Tejano Music" due to its recording industry history. The economy relies on oilfield services and agriculture. The community is culturally vibrant, bilingual, and resilient. Challenges include economic fluctuation with oil prices and healthcare access.
Archer County (Population Approx. 8,600)
Archer County is literary royalty. Archer City is the hometown of Larry McMurtry and the setting for The Last Picture Show. The landscape is rolling plains, dotted with oil pumps and wind turbines. The community is quiet, reflective, and proud of its ranching heritage. Challenges include retaining young families and maintaining rural infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Jim Wells County amplified the sound of South Texas to the world. Archer County inspired stories that defined a generation. Both counties demonstrate the cultural power of rural Texas.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the musician in Alice and the writer in Archer City both tell the story of our state.
In Jim Wells County, the political history is complex. Open Primaries would allow the community to move beyond machine politics and elect leaders who prioritize economic diversification and education. Ranked Choice Voting would ensure that all voices in the diverse community are heard.
In Archer County, the story is changing. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who understand the balance between the oil industry and the preservation of rural culture. It ensures that the setting of The Last Picture Show has a bright future.
Did You Know…
Alice (Jim Wells) is known as the "Birthplace of Tejano Music" because of Ideal Records, which recorded legends like Beto Villa.
Larry McMurtry, author of Lonesome Dove, was born in Archer City and ran a famous bookstore there (Booked Up).
Jim Wells County was the site of the infamous "Box 13" scandal in the 1948 Senate election involving LBJ.
Archer County was named for Branch Tanner Archer, a commissioner for the Republic of Texas.
The movie The Last Picture Show was filmed in Archer City, using the town's actual landmarks.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Jim Wells residents love the music festivals, the best tacos in the region, and the deep family roots. Archer locals love the quiet streets, the literary fame, and the wide-open sunsets that inspired McMurtry's prose.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame Induction (Alice): Celebrating the legends of the genre.
Archer City Rodeo: A community tradition celebrating the ranching lifestyle.
Fiesta Bandana (Alice): A festival celebrating the city's history and culture.
Royal Theater Productions (Archer City): Keeping the arts alive in the historic venue.
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:
