AgriLife Extension

Midland County History

Midland’s roots trace back to the early days of the railroad. In 1880, the Texas Pacific Railroad pushed west while the Southern Pacific built east from El Paso. The two lines met in Sierra Blanca, where a silver spike was driven echoing the famous connection in Utah. Nearby, a simple boxcar was dropped off to store supplies, marking the humble beginnings of what would become Midland.

Originally named Midway for its location halfway between El Paso and Fort Worth, the town later changed its name to Midland after discovering another "Midway" already existed in the Texas Panhandle.

Before World War I, Midland thrived as a railroad town supporting the surrounding ranching community. Everything changed on May 27, 1923, with the discovery of oil. Since then, Midland has become the heart of the Permian Basin, one of the largest oil-producing regions in the United States holding roughly 22% of the nation’s oil reserves.

Midland County was officially organized in March 1885, and with Midland as the county seat, a new courthouse was built by 1886. By 1890, the area had become a major cattle shipping hub with a population of around 600.

As of the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the City of Midland is home to approximately 143,700 residents, marking a strong regional growth trajectory. Midland County’s population has climbed to around 183,600, reinforcing its position as a dynamic center of economic and community development. Today, the county continues to grow, fueled by a diverse economy rooted in energy, agriculture, and innovation. 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension History

Land-Grant Beginnings (1862–1887):

The foundation was laid by the Morrill Act of 1862, which established land-grant colleges across the U.S. Texas A&M University began in 1871 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.

Research Expansion (1887):

The Hatch Act provided federal support for agricultural research, leading to the creation of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Texas A&M.

Extension Services Established (1914–1915):

The Smith-Lever Act enabled states to deliver university research to communities. Texas founded the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in 1914, with formal state adoption in 1915.

Integration with A&M System (1948):

The Extension Service became part of the newly established Texas A&M University System.  Over the years the name has changed from Texas Cooperative Extension (2001), Texas AgriLife Extension Service (2008), and now the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (2012).