LUBBOCK

Population 188,789

Altitude 3,241

General

Seat of Lubbock County and major city of the South Plains. Established 1891 as compromise between rival town builders. Slow early growth; settlers complained of prairie fires, sandstorms, tumbleweeds, and occasional droughts.

Today a city of industry, technology, oil, agriculture, warehousing, medicine and culture. Site of Lubbock Christian Univ., Texas Tech Univ. and School of Medicine, and Reese AFB.

Major annual event is Panhandle-south Plains Fair, last week in Sept., one of largest regional fairs in state. Draws quarter-million visitors to pageants, contests, and entertainment as well as traditional fair exhibits.

Lubbock lies on I-27/U.S. 84, a segment of the Ports to Plains highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.

Buddy Holly Statue and Walk of Fame-Honors Lubbock and West Texas natives who have made significant contributions in entertainment industry. Plaques include Mac Davis, Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Dean, four members of the Crickets, others; bronze statute of Lubbock's favorite son, rock-and-roller Buddy Holly. 8th St. and Ave. Q.

LUBBOCK FINE ARTS CENTER

LUBBOCK LAKE LANDMARK STATE HISTORICAL PARK

ROBERT A NASH INTERPRETIVE CENTER

LUBBOCK VISITOR INFORMATION

MACKENZIE STATE PARK

MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

NATIONAL RANCHING HERITAGE CENTER

OMINIMAX & SCIENCE SPECTRUM

TEXAS WATER RAMPAGE

WINERIES

Attractions

• LUBBOCK FINE ARTS CENTER-Changing exhibits of visual arts from photography to painting to sculpture. Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., at 2600 Avenue P. 806/767-2686.
• LUBBOCK LAKE LANDMARK STATE HISTORICAL PARK-Remarkable state and national historic landmark yields evidence of continuous human occupation from approximately 12,00 B.C. to the present. Little disturbed stratigraphic and artifactual records identify prehistory cultures including early Clovis, Folsom, Plainview, and Firstview peoples. Excavations have revealed remains of extinct mammoth, horse, camel, giant bison, and a 6-ft. long armadillo. Archaeological excavations continue each summer; crews often international with students from around the world.
• ROBERT A NASH INTERPRETIVE CENTER exhibits fossils and artifacts form the site, also children's learning center. Park open Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.; day-use areas include interpretive trails, shade shelters and picnic tables. Admission. 806/741-o306. Access to archaeological area by guided tours only (by Museum of Texas Tech University), offered only during active archaeological work; inquire at 806/742-2479. Park is at northwest edge of Lubbock, access from intersection of U.S. 84 and Loop 289.
• LUBBOCK VISITOR INFORMATION-Literature about attractions, visitor sites, events; information about dining and accommodations. Lubbock Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau corner of 14th St. and Ave. K, open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 806/747-5232 or 1-800-692-4035.
• MACKENZIE STATE PARK-Day-use park operated by city attracts more visitors than any other state park in Texas. Prairie Dog Town in park is one of few remaining colonies of its type in nation. Visitors enjoy close-up views of the frisky little animals that once inhabited the plains by the millions.. Swimming, picnicking, golf, and children's amusement park.

  Also in park is segment of Yellow house Canyon, site of last fight in Lubbock county between buffalo hunters and Indians in 1877. Yellow House Canyon was known to Spanish explorers as early as 17th Century. Within city off East Broadway and Avenue A.

• MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY-Exhibits cover the broad range of arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with emphasis on study of arid and semiarid lands, their environments and cultures that inhabit them. Among notable exhibits, the Diamond M Art Collection including fabulous jades and ivories that once belonged to Helena Rubinstein. Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Moody Planetarium in museum offers programs Tues. - Fri. beginning 2 p.m., Thurs. 7:30 p.m., Sat. - Sun. at 2 & 3:30 p.m. Fee for planetarium. 4th St. & Indiana Ave. 806/742-2490.
• NATIONAL RANCHING HERITAGE CENTER-Story of Panhandle ranching told in 30 authentic structures moved to this 14-acre site: bunkhouses, barns, dugouts, windmills, ranch homes, and school from 19th and 20th Centuries, excellently restored and furnished. Docents in period attire host visitors Sun. afternoon. Open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. Just east of Museum of Texas Tech (above). 806/742-2498. Nearby, 1875 Goodman Cotton Gin also may be visited.
• OMINIMAX & SCIENCE SPECTRUM-Theater uses the largest film frame in cinematic history (70 mm) and advanced projector to project images on huge 58-ft. diameter dome screen, visually encompassing the audience. Shows daily; for information, 806/745-MAXX (6299).

  Experience learning through discovery at Science Spectrum. It's a hands-on science, nature, and technology museum especially for youngsters, and adults too! "Kidspace" for preschool children. Traveling exhibits throughout the year. for information, 806/745-2525. Open Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 1 - 5:30 p.m. 2579 S. Loop 289. Admission.

• TEXAS WATER RAMPAGE-Water theme park for swimming, splashing, tubing, water slides; also go-carts. Open during summer daily noon to 7 p.m. except Sat. opening at 11 a.m. Admission. On U.S. 62/82 1.5 mi. southwest to Loop 289; admission. 806/796-0701.
• WINERIES-Cap Rock is a new High Plains winery. Tasting room and gift shop open every afternoon; tours Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., other days 1-5 p.m. From South Loop 289, U.S. 87 south approx. 6 mi. to Woodrow Road, then east to the winery. 806/796-0701.

  Llano Estacado Winery, born from a casual experiment with grapevines shading a Lubbock patio, this winery now is one of Texas' largest. Tasting room samples Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and others. Gift shop and tasting open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun. noon - 4 p.m. tours available. Take U.S. 87 south to F.M. 1585, then 3.2 miles east. 806/745-2258.

  Pheasant Ridge Winery is an estate vineyard covering 47 acres devoted solely to vinifera varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting second Sat. each month 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. I-27 north some 8 mi. to F.M. 1729 at New Deal; east on F.M. 1729 2 mi., south one mi. to winery. 806/746-6033.

Merchants

Pedro's Tamales - "...these may well be the best Tamales you have ever eaten!"

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