Shackelford County /

Shackelford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 3,302. Its county seat is Albany. The county is northeast of Abilene, the seat of Taylor County. Shackelford is named for Dr. John Shackelford, a Virginia physician who equipped soldiers at his own expense to fight in the Texas Revolution. Shackelford outfitted his troops in red uniforms, and they came to be called the "Shackelford Reds." Historic Fort Griffin, established in 1867, lies within Shackelford County. During the last two weekends of June, the Fort Griffin Fandangle, a western musical production, is presented by Shackelford County residents in the Prairie Theater in Albany. The content of the program is changed each year. Begun in 1938, it is billed as "Texas' Oldest Outdoor Musical". According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 916 square miles (2,371 km²), of which 914 square miles (2,367 km²) is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) (0.17%) is water. Shackelford County contains the School Districts As of the census of 2000, there were 3,302 people, 1,300 households, and 941 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile