Friona is located on US 60 in northern
Parmer County. It was originally known as Frio when it was established in 1898 by the Capitol Freehold Land and Investment Company as a shipping station on the Pecos Valley and Northern Texas Railway. Although the name was undoubtedly derived from that of Frio Draw, which runs just south of town, legend relates that local inhabitants named the place for its winter weather (frio is Spanish for "cold").
In 1988 local businesses were principally related to wheat, cotton, vegetable and sugar beet processing, and cattle.
Annual events included the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Banquet in January, the Fat Stock Show in February, the Junior Rodeo in May, and Maize Days in September.
The population was 3,111 in 1970 and 3,809 by 1980, when Friona was the largest town in Parmer County. In 1990 the population was 3,688.