Lubbock has developed into a thriving and vibrant city. And while much has changed since its integration in 1909, one thing has held steady: Lubbock is still known for its people’s hospitality and charm.
Though a cowboy hat or two are still common, the flashes of a Louboutins’ red soles or an Armani suit are as common. Lubbock is distinguished by its blend of modernity and traditional West Texas friendliness.
Lubbock is now a cultural crossroads in West Texas. Because it’s a hub for theatrical performances, art exhibits, live music, award-winning wineries, and other activities, this Texan city attracts millions of visitors each year due to its increasingly diverse and thriving art and culture scene.
Continue reading to learn more about Lubbock, a charming Texan city.
About Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is the county seat of Lubbock County and the 11th most populous city in the United States state of Texas. The city is also the 86th most populous in the United States, with a population of 257,141 in 2020.
Lubbock’s nickname, “Hub City,” comes from the fact that it is the educational, economic, and health-care hub of a multicounty region south of the Texas Panhandle and north of the Permian Basin, also known as the South Plains. The region is the world’s largest contiguous cotton-growing region, and irrigation relies heavily on water from the Ogallala Aquifer.
Lubbock also hosts Texas Tech University, the state’s sixth-largest college by enrollment.
History and the Present
Lubbock currently has a population of over 295,999 people. However, when two towns, Monterey and Old Lubbock, joined forces and named the city Lubbock after Tom S. Lubbock in 1890, only 50 people lived there.
Lubbock was founded on a thriving agricultural industry and has made significant strides in the cotton industry. Lubbock still produces two to three million bales of cotton annually, but it is known for much more than that.
When the infamous Spanish explorer, Coronado, discovered Lubbock, it was surrounded by roaming buffalo and tall grasses. On his journey to find the “City of Gold,” he named the territory where Lubbock now stands the Llano Estacado.
Lubbock was fully integrated as a city in 1902, the same year that the first train from Plainview arrived in town. Twenty-one years later, in 1923, Lubbock residents fought to establish Texas Technological College, which is now Texas Tech University.
Today, Texas Tech University injects the vitality of a young college town into the welcoming city of Lubbock. As one of the Big XII Conference members, the school offers numerous opportunities to watch top teams compete in football, volleyball, basketball, and other sports.
Aside from being home to Texas Tech University, Lubbock is known for its musical acts such as Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly, museums, fine dining, a thriving art and culture scene, and its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Lubbock has all of the excitement and conveniences of a city but with the amicable affection of an old friend and the charm of a small town.
Lubbock and Lubbock County have an impressive collection of historical sites.
Climate
Lubbock has a Köppen climate classification of cool semi-arid. On average, Lubbock receives 7.0 in (0.18 m) snow and 18.33 in (466 mm) rain every year.
Summers are hot, with 92 afternoons averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius). Lubbock’s winter afternoons are usually sunny and mild, but the mornings are cold.
During the spring and, on rare occasions, the summer, Lubbock can experience severe thunderstorms. Tornadoes and large hail are a risk in the spring, especially because Lubbock is on the far southwestern boundary of Tornado Alley.
Live Entertainment
Lubbock’s young musical talent grows with each open mic night and every guitar strum. You can find many of these musical acts in the Depot Entertainment District, located in the heart of downtown.
Every night, you can hear a different live musical talent or genre cranking through the speakers of the District’s bars, accompanied by a wide range of drink and savory food options. The Depot Entertainment District is a must-see whether you’re searching for a late evening with friends or a night with the family.
Wineries
The temperate weather and wide-open spaces of West Texas also make it ideal for thriving vineyards. From stunning architecture to award-winning wine, a wine tour of the Llano Estacado Winery, McPherson Cellars, CapRock Winery, and others will satisfy your senses.
Cuisine
The “Hub City” not only has a thriving wine scene, but the West Texas cuisine is as diverse as it is rich. Lubbock has a great array of cultural eats from across Texas and worldwide, starting with Cocina de La Sirena, a hidden gem in Cactus Alley, and Latin tapas at La Diosa Cellars, known for its house Sangria. Dirk’s offers a “Hub City” twist on a southern classic with fresh oysters, tender fried chicken, and traditional sides.
Arts and Culture
Museums such as the West Texas Walk of Fame and the Buddy Holly Center draw thousands of visitors each year worldwide and serve as permanent reminders of the thriving musical talent developing in Lubbock. Other museums in Lubbock, such as the National Ranching Heritage Center, American Wind Power Museum, Museum of Texas Tech University, and Silent Wings Museum, tell a unique story that captures visitors’ attention and transports them on a journey through history.
Music
Lubbock sets the tone for live music every night with a full lineup of local talent. Indeed, the city has the most live music venues per capita in Texas. From The Blue Light Live, regarded as a mecca for songwriters, to the McPherson Cellars and Buddy Holly Center patios every Thursday night in the summer, music fans can easily get lost in the Depot District.
Whether it’s a massive show at the United Supermarkets Arena, where Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, George Strait, and Paul McCartney have all performed, a tribute show at the Cactus Theater, or an up-close acoustic performance at one of Lubbock’s local fave restaurants, the “Hub City” is rightfully known as Texas’ music hub.
Lubbock, Texas, is home to state-of-the-art theaters, world-renowned artists, award-winning breweries and wineries, iconic musicians, and a diverse selection of cuisine. What you discover as you indulge yourself in the progressing culture of the “Hub City” may surprise you.
