Population10,261 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Riverbed Discoveries and Stories Around Glen Rose
Somervell County, TexasSomervell County brings Glen Rose and the Paluxy River landscape into a compact area with a distinctive natural history. Glen Rose is the county seat and largest city. Dinosaur Valley State Park offers a chance to explore the setting of preserved dinosaur tracks, although visibility changes with river conditions. Plan around current park information, then leave time for the county seat and other public places that help connect the landscape with local life.
Somervell County at a Glance
Population10,261 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatGlen Rose
Largest CityGlen Rose
Established1875
ZIP Codes7
Total Area192 sq mi (500 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 67 State Highway 144
Area Code254
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Somervell County
Somervell County was formed from Hood County in 1875 and named for Alexander Somervell, secretary of war for the Republic of Texas. Glen Rose became the county seat. Its first courthouse burned in 1893, and a replacement followed in 1894. The county also became associated with dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed. Dinosaur Valley State Park opened in 1972, creating a public setting where visitors can connect the area’s much older natural history with its more recent community story.
Dinosaur Valley State Park requires a flexible plan because dinosaur tracks in the riverbed are not always visible. Check the park’s current information before traveling, and choose other activities that suit your group if water conditions obscure the tracks. Official trail maps help identify routes and track areas without assuming access is unchanged. Glen Rose provides a community base for the visit, allowing time outdoors to be balanced with stops around the county seat.
What Shapes Us
Glen Rose
The county seat is also the county’s largest city. It provides a starting point for public information and for exploring the surrounding Paluxy River landscape.
Dinosaur Tracks
The park’s tracks lie in the riverbed and are not always visible. Check current conditions instead of assuming that photographs show what every visit will offer.
Courthouse History
A fire destroyed the first courthouse in 1893, followed by a replacement in 1894. The building’s story forms one thread in the county seat’s history.
Ancient tracks and river landscapes bring discovery close to town.
My Local Guide
Somervell County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Somervell County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Commissioner’s Court
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
Tarrant Area Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Somervell County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
Tarrant Area Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Somervell County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Somervell County — AgriLife Extension — details and contacts
Hospitals
County & local resources
Glen Rose Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Use the directory entry to locate the sheriff’s office, and confirm current non-emergency contact details with the county.
County & local resources
Somervell County Sheriff — state directory entry
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 2 serving Somervell County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
No qualifying named local trail with a verified route or access information was verified for Somervell County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
SOMERVELL COUNTY WATER DISTRICT
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
SOMERVELL COUNTY WATER DISTRICT
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Somervell County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — 18th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — 249th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Somervell County — District Clerk Office (District Clerk Office)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Somervell County — Glen Rose (Municipal)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Somervell County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
County & local resources
The Transit System — Somervell County service
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Somervell County veterans service contact — (817) 579-3292
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Glen Rose is the county seat of Somervell County, Texas.
The county overview lists Glen Rose as its largest community.
The total area is 192 sq mi (500 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Somervell County government website for county offices and public information.
No. River conditions affect visibility, and weather can also affect trails. Check the park’s current information before arriving. Official information.
Texas Parks and Wildlife provides an interactive map of Dinosaur Valley State Park trails and track areas. Official information.
Hammond’s BBQ is one option. A local barbecue option.
Barnard Street Mercantile is one option. Browse antiques, gifts and home decor.
Feast Boutique is one option. Browse clothing, gifts and home decor.
Dinosaur Valley State Park is one option. Check river conditions and track visibility before visiting.
Big Rocks Park is one option. Free park access; conditions vary with river levels.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Center — Plan a wildlife visit; check tickets and visitor rules.
- Dinosaur World — Explore a dinosaur-themed family attraction.
- Dino Discovery Pass — Try a self-guided dinosaur hunt; review participation details.
Restaurants
- Hammond’s BBQ — A local barbecue option.
- Loco Coyote Grill — Plan a meal at a local grill.
- Riverhouse Grill — Explore a Glen Rose dining stop.
Shopping & Retail
- Barnard Street Mercantile — Browse antiques, gifts and home decor.
- Bone-anza Barn Books & Antiques — Explore books and antiques.
- Rhythm & Co. Books — Browse a local bookshop.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Feast Boutique — Browse clothing, gifts and home decor.
- Love & Amen Boutique and Coffee — Combine boutique browsing with a coffee stop.
- Willa at The White Buffalo Boutique — Explore clothing and accessories.
Outdoor Fun
- Dinosaur Valley State Park — Check river conditions and track visibility before visiting.
- Heritage Park Riverwalk — Enjoy riverside paths and benches.
- Big Rocks Park — Explore the riverbank; check weather and water conditions.
Free Things To Do
- Big Rocks Park — Free park access; conditions vary with river levels.
- Dino Discovery Pass — A free self-guided dinosaur hunt; purchases are separate.
- Courthouse Square — Take a self-guided stroll through historic downtown.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.