Tom Green County, TX - ever wonder about maps?

Do you ever look at maps of states or counties and wonder why they were configured the way they are? For example, take Tom Green County, Texas. (As far as I know, it has no connection to my great-uncle Tom.) Look at the long panhandle sticking out there. Why would they do that? It would much more logically fit into one of the counties it lies between. Not a big deal, but it would be interesting to know.