Sweetwater
Around Sweetwater
Photo: CletusDitto · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Texas · 14k people
Sweetwater
Locals say Big Country
Where the wind blows free
Sweetwater Mustangs BlueSweetwater Mustangs Gold
Welcome to Sweetwater, the heart of the Big Country! Whether you're here for the wind, the rattlesnakes, or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and wide-open skies. Come for the Rattlesnake Roundup, stay for the small-town charm.
Clubs for Sweetwater
No clubs for Sweetwater yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Sweetwater. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Sweetwater. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National WASP WWII Museum Honors the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
- Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium Historic venue for concerts and community events.
- Newman Park City park with pool, playground, and picnic areas.
- Lake Sweetwater Reservoir for fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Nolan County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Sweetwater.
- Sweetwater Golf Course Public 18-hole golf course.
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Sweetwater
- Outdoors Golfing at Sweetwater Golf Course
- With kids Visit the National WASP WWII Museum
- With kids Attend the Rattlesnake Roundup
- Evenings Dance halls
- Evenings Honky-tonk bars
- Locals love Dance halls
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup March Annual gathering with rattlesnake hunts, entertainment, and food.
- Nolan County Fair August County fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
- Sweetwater Rodeo July Rodeo events with bull riding, barrel racing, and local competitors.
- Christmas on the Square December Holiday parade and festivities in downtown Sweetwater.
Semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, and frequent winds. Best time to be outside is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Abilene Shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
- Snyder Small-town charm and local history.
- Big Spring Historic sites and parks.
- San Angelo River walk, art museums, and dining.
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Eat and drink
- Chicken Fried Steak A West Texas staple, often served with cream gravy
- Texas Barbecue Smoked brisket and sausage, common at local cook-offs
Where people go
- Dance halls Classic West Texas venues for country music and two-stepping
- Wind farms Vast fields of turbines, a defining feature of the local landscape
- Small-town diners Family-owned spots serving home-style meals
Heritage and traditions
Sweetwater is proud of its West Texas heritage, its status as the Wind Energy Capital of Texas, and its unique role as the training ground for the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII.
This time of year in Sweetwater
- Football season Fall High school football is a big deal, with Friday night games drawing crowds.
Say it like a local: “Bless your heart” — An expression of sympathy or mild condescension
Landmarks with a story
- Avenger Field The training base for the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII, now a historic landmark.
- Sweetwater Historic Downtown A collection of early 20th-century buildings reflecting the town's oil boom era.
Food traditions
- Rattlesnake chili Made from rattlesnake meat, a unique West Texas delicacy served during the Rattlesnake Roundup in March.
- Frito pie A Texan classic of chili and cheese over Fritos, a favorite at football games and local diners.
Music and arts
- West Texas Country Music A tradition of honky-tonk and country music, with local dance halls hosting live bands.
A little history
- 1878 Sweetwater was founded as a railroad town, named for a nearby creek with fresh water.
- 1920s The discovery of oil in the area spurred rapid growth and prosperity.
- 1942-1944 Avenger Field became the training base for the WASP, the first women to fly military aircraft in the US.
- 2000s Sweetwater became a hub for wind energy, earning the title 'Wind Energy Capital of Texas'.
Rivalries
- Sweetwater High vs. Roscoe High Friday night football rivalry.
- Sweetwater vs. Snyder Football and basketball matchups.
- Game day Friday Night Lights
- Outdoors Stargazing
- Outdoors Driving the wind farm roads
West Texas accent with a drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- Sweetwater is the only place where the WASP program trained during WWII.
- Sweetwater is known as the Wind Energy Capital of Texas, with thousands of wind turbines in the surrounding area.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the wind - it's constant and can be strong, so secure loose items.
- Prepare for hot summers; stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- Try the local chicken fried steak at a diner.
- Attend the Rattlesnake Roundup in March for a unique experience.
- Get to know your neighbors; West Texans are friendly and welcoming.
Make this page better
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Part of Abilene area
Nearby
Every areaColorado CityTexasBig skies, warm people, and the pulse of the West.SnyderTexasHeart of the oil patch, soul of the plainsAbileneTexasWestern warmth under wide Texas skiesRolling PlainsTexasEndless horizons, down-home hearts.Big SpringTexasBig skies, warm hearts, and the open road.San AngeloTexasWhere the river meets the rangeBrownwoodTexasBig skies, warm hearts, and a slower pace.MidlandTexasTall city, wide skies, and the pulse of the oil patch.
Sweetwater, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.