Monahans, Texas
Spanish explorers crossed the area of present Ward County more than 400 years ago, but it remained an undisturbed habitat of Native Americans until the mid-1800s. Monahans was established about 1881 as a stop on the Texas and Pacific Railroad which was building west from Fort Worth.
As the county seat, Monahans today is a financial and marketing center for more than 800 square miles of cattle and oil country.
Oil wells, drilled at a distance from the downtown area, are slanted to draw oil from beneath city hall, the courthouse, banks, and business houses.