Lubbock is the hub of the southern High Plains of Texas. The area was named Llano Estacado (Staked Plains) by the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1540. Coronado's expedition mapped a trail that was used by colonists over the next three hundred years. During this time the area was occupied by the Apache, Commanche and Kiowa tribes. Large herds of buffalo roamed the area. When Texas became a state in 1845 the hunters settled in the Llano Estacado area. The Indians were driven out by the U.S. Government and the hunters killed most of the buffalo. This action made way for the farmers and ranchers to settle the area. They were the majority of the population from then until 1909. At that time the first railroad came to town. The railroad gave birth to expanded commerce and industry.
