Opdyke West, Texas: A Tiny Town with a Big Story in Hockley County

Opdyke West is a small incorporated town in Hockley County, Texas. It lies along State Highway 114, about 4 miles east of Levelland and roughly 28 miles west of Lubbock. The community is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Incorporation and Origins
The town was incorporated in 1984. Before incorporation, the area consisted largely of a trailer home park. Residents chose incorporation partly to enable liquor sales, since surrounding Hockley County was dry at the time. The town took its name from the older settlement of Opdyke, located nearby.

The original Opdyke community was established in the 1930s and had a post office from 1935 to 1941. Sources differ on the origin of its name: it may have been named for Charles W. Opdyke, a railroad director, or for the Dykes family, particularly W. A. Dykes, who built the region’s first cotton gin in 1937.

Population
According to the 2020 United States Census, Opdyke West had a population of 220. The town occupies a land area of about 0.23 square miles, giving it a relatively high population density compared to the surrounding rural areas.

Geography and Transportation
The community sits directly on State Highway 114, which provides access westward to Levelland and eastward to Lubbock. Its location makes it both a small residential town and a convenient stop for travelers.

Economy and Amenities
Historically, Opdyke West developed as a service-oriented stop with local businesses that catered to residents and passersby. Past accounts mention a barbecue stand and a drive-through convenience store, which became informal landmarks of the community. The town also included mobile home and RV facilities. These businesses reflected the community’s role as a crossroads settlement rather than a traditional farming town, despite its connection to the cotton industry through nearby Opdyke.

Interesting Facts

• Incorporation Date: 1984, making it one of the newer incorporated towns in Texas.

• Naming Origins: Its name links directly to the older settlement of Opdyke, itself named either for a railroad director or the Dykes family tied to the cotton industry.

• Agricultural Roots: The Dykes cotton gin built in 1937 symbolized the shift toward cotton production in northern Hockley County.

• Dry County Workaround: Incorporation allowed the sale of alcohol within town limits, distinguishing Opdyke West from much of Hockley County at the time.