Rankin, TX

About Rankin

• • Singer and songwriter Larry Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers was born in Rankin.
• • Although no major inventions originated here, the town fostered a strong sense of community.
• • The Texas and Pacific Railway's arrival in 1903 established Rankin as a shipping point.
• • Legend says the Rankin High School mascot was chosen after a local rancher's prize bull.
• • Rankin experienced a significant oil boom in the 1920s, transforming its economy.
• • Named in 1907 for F.E. Rankin, a railroad official, it became the county seat.
• • With around 700 residents, the population is smaller than many high schools.
• • Sitting at 2,559 feet, the altitude provides panoramic views of West Texas.
• • Oil and gas remain vital industries, with many employed in extraction and support.
• • A quiet, slow-paced town, it feels like stepping back into a simpler time.
• • The Dallas Cowboys, 300 miles east, provide the closest pro sports connection.
• • Rankin High School's six-man football team fosters intense local pride.

Songs About Rankin