Bailey County, Texas
Bailey County, situated in the High Plains of West Texas, was officially established in 1876 and organized in 1919. The county is named after Peter James Bailey, a hero of the Texas Revolution who died defending the Alamo. Though Bailey County’s history is largely tied to agriculture and ranching, it reflects the broader impacts of the Civil War era on the region, as the frontier lands of West Texas saw cattle drives and settlers shaped by Confederate influences. Today, the county seat of Muleshoe is home to the National Mule Memorial and serves as a gateway to the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, the oldest refuge in Texas, offering a unique blend of history and natural beauty.