Erath County was created in 1856 and named for George B. Erath, one of the original surveyors of the area. The center of the county is near the city of Stephenville, the county seat. The county comprises 1,990 square miles. The county’s altitude ranges from 900 to 1,750 feet; the rainfall averages 29 inches a year; the average temperature ranges from a low of 34° F during January to 96° in July, and the growing season lasts 238 days. The two major streams, the Paluxy and Bosque rivers, are tributaries of the Brazos. Major roads in Erath County are Interstate Highway 20, which crosses the northwest corner, and U.S. highways 67, 281 and 377.