Midland County got its name from the railroad running halfway across Texas

The Texas and Pacific Railway reached this area in 1881, bringing early settlers. The county was carved out of Tom Green County in 1885. The city of Midland became the county seat. Before that, the land was open range used for sheep and cattle ranching.

The county sits on the Llano Estacado's southern edge at elevations between 2,550 and 2,900 feet. Annual rainfall averages only about 13 to 15 inches, making water a constant challenge. Early farmers and ranchers had to drill wells — and sometimes hit oil while looking for water.