Immunology and Molecular Microbiology
Life in Lubbock | Galleries, Museums, and Theaters | Area Attractions | Annual Events
Lubbock History and Information
Lubbock, Texas is located in the heart of the high plains of West Texas (elevation 3,256 feet). Located only 80 miles east of New Mexico and 120 miles south of Amarillo, this canyon-pocked mesa was first discovered in 1540 by the Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado during his quest for the “City of Gold.” It was the Spanish who named most of the major geographic features of the area, including Cañon Casas Amarillas (Yellow House Canyon), Cañon de Rescate (Ransom Canyon), and Llano Estacado (Staked Plains). Prior to late 1800’s, the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne Nations dominated this region where they roamed the high plains living off the heavy populations of buffalo, antelope, wolves, and coyotes. Indeed, the Lubbock Lake Landmark State Historical Park houses an active archeological site that has uncovered the remains of an ancient Native American civilization dating back more than 12,000 years. The city of Lubbock was named after Tom S. Lubbock who was a Texas Ranger and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The city began as two smaller towns named “Old Lubbock” and “Monterey” which were consolidated in 1890 to establish the town of Lubbock. As agriculture continued to grow within the region and as the railroads continued to expand, Lubbock became the marketing center of the region and earned the nick-name "Hub of the Plains".
In 1923, the citizens of Lubbock were successful in their bid to the state to establish a new college, called Texas Technological College (now called Texas Tech University). The college opened its doors in 1925 with 1,379 students. In 1976, Texas Tech University underwent a major expansion with the establishment of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center which is now a world-renowned medical school. Known as the “Music Crossroads of West Texas,” Lubbock has produced many musical legends, including Lubbock’s son, Buddy Holly, who attracted followers and inspired musicians all around the world. Other well-known Lubbock musicians include Mac Davis, Waylon Jennings, Delbert McClinton, the Dixie Chicks, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, Tanya Tucker, Lloyd Maines, Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, The Maines Brothers, and Bob Wills. Thousands of visitors come to Lubbock every year to experience the great music, shopping, fine arts, performing arts, unique dining, Big XII sports, and entertainment. The population of greater Lubbock has continued to grow over the past five decades and is currently home to more than 280,000 people.
Texas Tech University
The Texas Tech University System (TTUS) is based in Lubbock and consists of Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Angelo State University. With an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion, the TTUS educates approximately 43,500 students and employs more than 18,000 faculty and staff. Collectively, the TTUS contributes more than $2.6 billion in economic impact. The oldest and largest TTUS campus is Texas Tech University (TTU) which is located in Lubbock and home to more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students. TTU occupies 1,839 acres making it the second largest contiguous campus in the United States. TTU is the only university in Texas to house an undergraduate and graduate university, law school, and medical school all at the same location. 
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are charter members of the Big 12 Conference and compete in Division I for all varsity sports. In addition to the Lubbock campus, TTU has campuses in Abilene, Fredericksburg, Highland Lakes and Junction. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) offers programs in Allied Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. The oldest TTUHSC campus is in Lubbock, but major campuses are also located in Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso and the Permian Basin. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at TTUHSC offers the MS and PhD. degrees in five areas of study including cell and molecular biology; biochemistry and molecular genetics; immunology and infectious diseases; pharmaceutical sciences; pharmacology and neuroscience; and physiology. Angelo State University (ASU) is located in San Angelo and provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines to more than 7,000 students in San Angelo. Founded in 1928, ASU offers more than 100 majors and concentrations that lead to 45 undergraduate degrees, 22 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree.
Housing
The Lubbock community has a wide selection of reasonably priced apartments, duplex housing and rental homes including some within walking distance to the University and Health Sciences center.
Visit Lubbock Apartments OR Apartmentlist.com, online guides featuring a variety of homes and apartments to choose from.
Airport
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport provides nonstop service to all of the major airports that serve as hubs for Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines including Denver, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston.