|
|
PANOLA,
TEXASPanola
County, East Texas
Highway 79
20 Miles NE of Carthage
Population: Unknown |
 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Once named Latex, Texas for it’s location
on the Louisiana – Texas state line, it grew around a gas lease that was brought
in in the mid 1920s.
The company built housing for its employees and shortly
thereafter, businesses sprang up to serve the community. The name was changed
to Panola.
From a 1959 population of 150, it grew to 296 in 1992.
The town is now what is referred to as a dispersed community.
Photographer’s
Note:
“In 1954, the year I got out of high school, I landed a job as a
mail clerk with United Gas, the largest natural gas company in the world. United
Gas was a dual company that consisted of the Union Producing Co, and the United
Gas Pipeline Co. Union Producing Co. would drill for and get the gas, United Gas
Pipeline Co. would transport it and United Gas Corporation would distribute it
and sell it.
United Gas Pipe Line Company, in their network of pipelines
would have to have “compressor stations,” warehouses, work forces, and (in the
early times) furnished housing for the maintenance crews. These stations in the
1930s, 40s, and 50s would require very large facilities. One of their main facilities
was located at Panola. Panola also had a golf course that is still in existence
today.
The compressor station, warehouse and other support buildings are
still there but not in use. All are now behind security fences and are only ghosts
of their past. This place was really something in its heyday. I worked for United
Gas for seventeen years from 1954 until about 1972. All that I have written, I
observed firsthand as I was there.” - Gerald
Massey |
 |
The
golf course that is still in existence today
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, 2009 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. | |
| Save on Hotels
- Expedia
Affiliate Network | |
