Big Lake, Texas
Big Lake lies on the arid plains of Reagan County in West Texas, about 63 miles southwest of San Angelo and near the southeastern edge of the Permian Basin. The town is closely tied to the Santa Rita No. 1 well, drilled on University of Texas land nearby, whose 1923 gusher opened the Permian oil field and became a landmark in the state's petroleum history. Oil and gas production and ranching remain central to the surrounding country.
Property here runs through the Reagan Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The Reagan County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Reagan County notes
What to know around Big Lake
Property Tax
Who handles property taxes in Reagan County
Two separate offices handle property appraisal and tax collection in Reagan County, and knowing the difference saves you time.
Water & Wells
Groundwater rules in Reagan County
Most of Reagan County falls inside the Santa Rita Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates well drilling and water use.
Mineral Rights & Oil
Check Mineral Rights Before Buying Land in Reagan County
Reagan County's oil history makes mineral ownership and RRC records part of a land check.
History
The oil well that changed Texas — and funded UT
The Santa Rita No. 1 well blew in near Big Lake in 1923, opening the Permian Basin to oil production and pouring money into the University of Texas.
Hunting & Outdoors
Hunting in Reagan County is mostly on private land
There are no public Wildlife Management Areas in Reagan County, so hunters rely on leases and private landowner access.
County History
How Reagan County got its name and its county seat
Reagan County was carved from Tom Green County in 1903 and named for a Texas senator who also served as the first head of the Railroad Commission.
Nearby
Places near Big Lake
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Irion County
6 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Crockett County
6 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Upton County
5 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Glasscock County
7 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Sterling County
5 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Midland County
29 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Next steps for Big Lake
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Reagan County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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