Seat of Lubbock County and major city of the South Plains. The abundant grass and the expansion of the cattle industry in the 1880s led to the cattle empires on the Texas Plains and the settling of two towns: Old Lubbock and Monterey. In 1890, the two cities came together and mutually accepted a new site, which they called Lubbock, and it became the center of ranching and cattle operations in the area. Today a city of industry, technology, oil, agriculture, warehousing, medicine and culture. Site of Lubbock Christian Univ., Texas Tech Univ., School of Law, and Health Science Center. Lubbock's citizens support the city's live music, ballet, and community theater productions, as well as the activities of its colleges and universities. Major annual event is Panhandle-South Plains Fair, last week in Sept., one of largest regional fairs in state. Draws quarter-million visitors to pageants, contests, and entertainment as well as traditional fair exhibits. Lubbock lies on I-27/U.S. 84, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.