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BEST, TEXAS
Texas Ghost
Town
Reagan County, West Texas
Highway 67
Between Big Lake
and Rankin
Population:
1 est. (according to the 2004 Official Map)
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The former
jail?
Photo courtesy George Shaffer, 2006 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Named
for an Englishman who was a shareholder in the railroad, Best was
nothing but a switching point on the Orient Railroad. When oil was
discovered in 1923, Best mushroomed as the regional supply center.
The population grew to an estimated 3,500 in just two years. Best
gained an instant reputation for being a wild town. Perhaps added
by the irony of its name and a novel (The Big Fist) written in 1946
- set its bad reputation in stone. |
Springston
Ranch in Best
Photo courtesy George Shaffer, 2006 |
The
town's unofficial slogan was "the town with the Best name in the world
and the Worst reputation." After the boom fizzled, only 300 people
were left in the 1940s. A service station / post office was still
in operation in the 80s and by the 1990 Census - only 25 people were
left. It is now listed as 0001.
© John Troesser |
Texon oil
field
Photo courtesy Brian R. Jack |
| "The
men on the right is my Grandfather, Elmer Ellsworth Hartzell"
- Brian R. Jack, February 25, 2007 |
Best Texas
Forum
Subject:
Best, Texas
I, Brian Ross Jack, was born in Best, Reagan County, Texas on 29
July 1928, to Marion Hugh & Helen Wanita Hartzell Jack. My grandfather
also lived there: Marion Hale & Lucretia Montgomery Jack. They lived
about 100 yards in front of our house. My father and grandfather
both worked in the oilfields. My father also did welding and mechanics
in his garage next to our house. It is my belief that most of the
residents moved to Kermit,
Texas. My mother, sister and I left Texas and moved to live
with my grandfather, Elmer Elsworth & Lulu May Kahler Hartzell in
Orting, Pierce County, Washington in 1935. God Bless. - Sincerely,
Brian R. Jack, Fort Worth TX, May 06, 2006
Subject:
Best, Texas
My mother, Mary (Vandervort) Hensley, lived in Best as a girl. Her
father worked in the oil fields. Her youngest sister, Rhea, was
born in Best. My mother passed away on April 30 at the age of 91.
I visited Best with my mom a few years ago, and the photos you have
online are exactly what I saw then. I thought Mom told me that the
stone structure was the jail. She pointed out the hill where the
town's water tank once sat. My Mom's parents were Bonnie and Emmett
Vandervort. My grandfather died of a heart attack while at work
in the oil fields in the 40's and my grandmother eventually moved
to Los Angeles. I've heard a few stories about the wild town that
Best was. There was a newspaper article about the Wild West town
of Best, but I have lost track of it. I've heard that my grandmother
made bootleg alcohol and also ran a small grocery store for a time.
I was hoping to find out more about the history of Best. Some of
my mom's relatives still live in San Angelo and her oldest sister
Vanatta was married in the old Cactus Hotel. Just sharing a few
little tidbits that I recall. Thank you. - Charlene Hensley,
May 11, 2006
Subject:
Best, Texas
As best I could figure out, Best was located at Hwy 67 and Best
Lane, between the highway and the train tracks located about a block
south. Best Lane turns north off of 67, and is called Lone Wolf
Lane south of the highway. Santa Rita Road runs parallel with and
between the highway and tracks, and goes to the Santa Rita No. 1
well.
The only structures that remain standing are a small blockhouse
and Springston Ranch (see above photos). There were no signs of
life at the ranch house other than an old pickup and a roof-mounted
satellite dish. I did get there before sunrise, but there were no
lights burning. After crossing the tracks, Lone Wolf turns back
to the east; I did see what appeared to be the remains of some type
of corrogated tin building across the road from the blockhouse,
but it was totally collapsed. Traffic on the back roads was light,
namely a couple of oil field types checking wells, I reckon. There
was an active rig west of Best. Not much more than that. - George
Shaffer, March 17, 2006
Anyone wishing to share history, stories, photos or knows the name
of the last person living in Best, Texas, please contact
us.
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