[3] It is named for two brothers: John C. and William F. Upton, both colonels in the Confederate Army.

The trail served as a trade route for nomadic tribes of Indians and Spaniards, as well as traders from both Mexico and Texas.

The trail began at Young County, Texas, and passed along the Pecos River to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and into Colorado before ending in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

[9] Cattleman George Elliott became the first to establish a homestead in Upton County in 1880.

The United States Census counted 52 people living in the county in 1890, and only 48 in 1900; most of these were either members of three families, or were in their employ.

[12] The Yates Oil Field in Crockett and Pecos Counties resulted in a financial boon for the town of Rankin, which served as a supply and service center.

1 gushed in 1961 and enabled Upton County to continue as an outstanding Texas production area.

[17] The Spraberry Trend, the third-largest oil field in the United States by remaining reserves, underlies much of the county.

[18] Bobcat Hills, a summit with an elevation of 2,697 ft (822 m), is found in Upton County.