Palo Pinto County vs. Ward County
Mineral Waters & Monahans Sands
Today’s match-up contrasts the healing hills of North Texas with the shifting sands of the West. Palo Pinto County is home to Mineral Wells, the famous Baker Hotel, and Possum Kingdom Lake. Ward County, in the Permian Basin, is home to Monahans and the stunning Monahans Sandhills State Park. One is defined by water and wellness history; the other by sand and oil.
Palo Pinto County (Population Approx. 28,000)
Palo Pinto County is scenic and historic. Mineral Wells was once a world-famous health resort due to its "Crazy Water." Today, the massive renovation of the Baker Hotel is revitalizing the town. Possum Kingdom Lake offers premier cliff diving and boating. The terrain is rugged and green. Challenges include managing tourism growth and water resources.
Ward County (Population Approx. 11,000)
Ward County is an oasis of sand. Monahans is the hub for a region dominated by the energy industry and the unique ecosystem of the Sandhills. It is also home to the Pyote Bomber Base museum ("The Rattlesnake Bomber Base"). The community is tough, welcoming, and resilient through oil booms and busts. Challenges include housing shortages and infrastructure strain from heavy industry.
Why It Matters
Palo Pinto is reclaiming its status as a premier tourist destination. Ward County is sustaining the state's energy needs. Both counties feature unique geological landmarks-the Pinto Mountains and the Sandhills-that define their identity.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the hotel restorer in Mineral Wells and the sand miner in Monahans both build our future.
In Palo Pinto County, the revitalization brings new opportunities. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who focus on economic development and tourism, rather than partisan gatekeeping. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse lakeside and city communities work together.
In Ward County, the industrial needs are specific. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the energy community to support candidates who understand the oil patch and the need for diversified economic growth. It ensures that the Permian Basin isn't just an extraction zone, but a home.
Did You Know…
The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells (Palo Pinto) is a 14-story historic hotel currently undergoing a massive $65 million renovation.
Monahans Sandhills State Park (Ward) features sand dunes up to 70 feet high, often called "The Sahara of Texas."
Possum Kingdom Lake features the famous "Hell's Gate" cliffs.
The Pyote Bomber Base in Ward County was a major training site for B-17 and B-29 crews during WWII.
Mineral Wells is famous for its "Crazy Water," mineral water that was bottled and sold nationwide.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Palo Pinto residents love the lake life, the hiking in the hills, and the anticipation of the Baker's reopening. Ward locals love the "surf the dunes" weekends, the pride of the oilfield, and the deep WWII history.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Crazy Water Festival (Mineral Wells/Palo Pinto): Celebrating the town's famous mineral water with music and street vendors.
Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Festival (Monahans/Ward): Celebrating the frontier history of the region.
Red Bull Cliff Diving (Possum Kingdom): A world-class event that puts the lake on the global map.
Freedom Fest (Monahans): A patriotic community gathering.
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:
