Olton, TX

Located on the South Plains of West Texas, Olton is a quiet, close-knit farming town of around 2,000 residents in Lamb County. Sitting at the crossroads of Highway 70 and Farm to Market Road 168, it is about twenty miles northeast of Littlefield and within easy driving distance of Plainview and Lubbock. Founded around 1900 as the first settlement in the county, Olton briefly served as the county seat during its early decades. The town has held tightly to its distinct history over the years, including the story of its old Burro School, named after a herd of burros that sought shelter nearby during a legendary pioneer-era blizzard.

ATTRLarry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0

Today, Olton offers a relaxed, steady rhythm of life centered around agriculture and community. Expansive cotton fields stretch out in every direction, while the town itself provides daily necessities like local eateries, neighborhood churches, a bank, a clinic, and a public library. Much of the town's energy revolves around the Olton Independent School District, where school events and sports bring families together. For newcomers looking for wide-open Texas skies, affordable living, and a friendly, down-to-earth neighborhood, Olton delivers authentic small-town charm.