Happy, Texas
Town in the United States in Swisher County, Randall County
About Happy
Happy is a town in Randall and Swisher Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. Its population was 602 at the 2020 census. The Randall County portion of Happy is part of the Amarillo metropolitan area.
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How Happy is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Happy
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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Population over time
From 648 in 2000 to 602 in 2020 (−7.1%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 602 |
| 2010 | 678 |
| 2000 | 648 |
History
The origin of Happy's name may derive its name from Happy Draw, a stream named in the 19th century by the team of cowboys who were happy to find water there. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names. The town's motto is "The Town Without a Frown".
In 1920, the Happy chamber of commerce announced plans to incorporate. Happy postmasters have reported high mail volume throughout the town's history, including out-of-town requests for the Happy postmark on their mail. In 1980, a newly-hired Happy postmaster was "just content to live in Happy and serve its citizens" as he answered out-of-town inquiries, such as a letter from a young girl who said, "I like the name of your time since I like to be happy", and a bride-to-be whose Happy-stamped wedding invitations "just thrilled her to death".
In 1933, the Happy school principal was hospitalized with several knife wounds after being stabbed by the president of the Happy bank over a dispute stemming from a handling fee.
https://www.newspapers.com/article/wichita-falls-times-principle-of-school/208448265/
In 1950, a Happy grain elevator collapsed, causing 75,000 bushels of wheat to be dumped from its tower, leading one Happy man to be hospitalized and an estimated $100,000 in damages, following reports the previous year that "Happy, Texas is unhappy about learning tower".
Happy citizens were described as "more than just happy" about a new 750-foot well that was dug in 1964: "They were jubilant." In the late 1970s, droughts caused a "desperate situation" among Happy farmers. The mayor of Happy reported, "It’s bad all over" and described it as "definitely a depressed situation". "Our farmers are running out of water," he said. "Little towns like our seem to be drying up." One farmer who was described as "John Wayne with a pitchfork" said "expenses were so high that a single year would break me."
Happy Independent School District Happy Independent School District pursued changes in state policy after being burdened by excessive paperwork, with headlines declaring that Happy schools were "anything but happy"
Headlines often remark on the happiness of Happy residents, such as "Happy (Texas) Man Hits Jackpot" And "Happy, Texas Citizens Happy".
Happy has a number of institutions including Happy Cemetery, Happy Grain, Happy Bank, Happy City Hall, Happy High School and Happy Game Room. The only reported restaurant is My Happy Place. A shop with memorobilia opens on weekends at a former cinema, The Grand in Happy.
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