Spur Freedom

Spur, Texas, a quaint town in west Texas nestled on the vast prairies, beckons new pioneers to join its community. With a population of around 1,000, Spur is one of two towns in Dickens County, spanning 900 square miles of breathtaking canyons, cotton fields, and abundant wildlife. The population of Dickens County is approximately 2,500. We are a close-knit community of ranchers, farmers, and townsfolk who cherish our freedom and the endless expanse of blue skies.

In recent decades, urbanization and social changes in America have led to many small towns losing residents to larger cities in search of better opportunities. Mechanization and consolidation in agriculture have also contributed to the decline of families in rural communities across the nation.

However, in Spur, we sense a change in the air, and in west Texas, we are no strangers to the wind. The high cost of living in big cities has become unbearable for many, with increased economic polarization making it harder to maintain a sense of community. These developments have spurred innovative strategies to cope and compete in America. The tiny house movement, for instance, offers a way to reduce costs and gain freedom to live according to one’s own plan, free from burdensome and unnecessary expenses. Moreover, the internet has opened up new opportunities to redefine where and how we work, and Spur is wired with fiber-optics to harness this potential!

We propose that tiny houses in small towns offer even greater freedom and a unique chance to regain a sense of community and self-sufficiency.

We take pride in our city council resolution, passed in July 2014, declaring Spur as the nation’s first tiny house friendly town. Here, you can build or bring your dream house, regardless of its size, and set it on a foundation on a regular city lot to live life on your own terms.

Since then, over 70 lots have been sold to individuals planning to make Spur their new home. As people have started moving here, there have been various definitions of “tiny houses” circulating, and the city council has currently settled on a definition that aligns with the standards of the tiny house movement.

In Spur, any tiny house featuring wood or metal framing, flush toilets connected to city utilities, and proper electrical work is welcome. All new houses must be set on a foundation reinforced with rebar and extending at least six inches below ground (in accordance with the Texas frostline). Further details can be found in the city ordinance posted on the “city proclamation” page of our website.

If you already own a tiny house on wheels that meets the above description and are looking for a permanent home, we eagerly await your arrival on the horizon! We will provide assistance in removing the axles (which takes only a short time), storing them, and setting your house on its new foundation.

A simple and free permitting process will ensure that your house design meets structural safety requirements.

To purchase a home site, you can inquire about county lots for sale by contacting the County Tax Collector’s office at 806-623-5216, and they will provide you with a list of available lots and a map of Spur. You can also check with City Hall in Spur at 806-271-3316 as they may have additional lots for sale. For any questions regarding the new ordinance and permitting/coding, please contact John Schmidt at 682-239-0973.