The proliferation of community power structure studies and their results have led many social researchers to the conclusion that the principle explanation for many diverse findings rests with the disciplinary bias of the researchers. The purpose of this study was to make some tentative effort at explaining power structure characteristics as a function of community characteristics, or to show that differentiated communities have differentiated power structures. Two small Texas communities were selected for examination with a population range of 8,500 to 11,500 because they differed consistently on the following characteristics: (1) ethnic and occupation composition, (2) occupational mobility, (3) metropolitan influence, and (4) population increase. Data from related research was also utilized for comparative analysis. The results tentatively support the hypothesis that as the characteristics of a community vary, the visibility characteristic of the power structure also varies. The findings also suggest that additional research would indicate similar relationships between power structure characteristics and community characteristics. (DK)