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Little is left
of Thrift. Even the historical marker has been noted for being a “Good
candidate for "Worst Condition" [of a historical marker].
Historical Marker:
THRIFT
(Ghost Townsite,
1.25 miles north)
"Newtown", or "Thrift", originated about 1919 in the
northwestern extension of the Burkburnett Oil Field. Early in its
existence it gained prestige by the founding of a bank--the only one
in the area at that time. Mostly a tent city, Thrift suffered many
fires. One of these, started by lightning striking an oil tank in
1920, caused two deaths and wiped out much of the town. Thrift's Post
Office opened in 1925. After the population shrank to 30 in 1929,
the bank, a church, school, and store served people living at oil
field pump stations; but all of Thrift's buildings are now gone.
(1977, 2002) |
Ghost town Thrift
aka Newtown Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2007 |
This
appears to be an old schoolhouse
at a T-intersection at the eastern end of Thrift road.
Photo
courtesy Dustin
Martin, September 2017
More Texas
Schoolhouses |
Cinder block building
at a T-intersection at the western end of Thrift road.
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, September 2017 |
Northwest
Extension Oilfield historical marker
(next to the Thrift historical marker)
on Hwy 240 to FM 368 (Fairview Rd)
W of Burkburnett
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, September 2017 |
Historical Marker:
Northwest Extension
Oilfield
Oil exploration
and production in this area was minimal until April 17, 1919, when
the Bob Waggoner Well No. 1 blew in at 4,800 barrels per day. It was
the first well in what became known as the Northwest Extension Oilfield,
comprised of approximately 27 square miles on the former S. Burk Burnett
Wild Horse Ranch. R.M. "Bob" Waggoner's well led to a boom, and the
area was suddenly thick with oil derricks. The hastily organized tent
cities of Thrift, Springtown, Morgan City, Waggoner City, Bridgetown
and Bradley's Corner supported the industry. Today, sparsely sited
pump jacks continue to draw oil, but in far smaller quantities than
the early wells of Wichita
County.
(2006) |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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