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Electric City
Texas, Looking West
Courtesy Xcel Energy, Wes Reeves |
History
in an Oil Can
The town was built in 1926 during the Hutchinson
County oil boom. The name is a reference to the Riverview Power
Plant, constructed by the Panhandle Power and Light Company to furnish
electricity to the oil fields - allowing them to drill at night. Following
a 24 hour, seven day schedule, the plant produced its first lights
in November of '26.
A camp grew around the facility as the boom continued, and it started
evolving into an actual community. It might have remained if not for
the improvement of the highway and its proximity to Borger.
A few residents stayed and even as late as 1948 five people called
Electric City home. |
Electric Power
Plant in Electric City
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Electric
City provided the power to illuminate the oil fields like this derrick
in Borger
Click on image to enlarge
Photo courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection |
Riverview Power
Plant, 1949
Photo courtesy Tambre Lumpkin |
Electric City
Texas Forum
Subject:
Riverview Plant 1949
I grew up in Borger, Texas.
I was in an antique store and found this photo. On the back it says
Riverview Plant 1949. Wanted to share. Great memory for those of
us that have traveled the road from Borger
to Stinnet passing through the
skeleton on Electric City, TX - Tambre P Lumpkin , May 21, 2020
Subject:
RIVERVIEW POWER PLANT TX
By chance found your site and was very interested in the pictures
of camp. I was born in Borger
and lived in Riverview. My dad worked at the Power Plant. I have
looked at the images of the area on google earth and am able to
place where we lived and even though the houses are long gone, the
trees tell where they were. The image of camp you have on the site,
does not seem to fit any of these configurations so was very puzzled
unless it was not taken facing West. I do have images (will have
to look for them) and when I find them, will email them to you.
Do you have any other images I could see?
It was quite a memory jogger and was delighted to realize how much
was still there! Thanks for posting it. - Margot Carter Blair, April
02, 2006
Subject:
Electric City Old Photo
It came from our company archives. Southwestern Public Service Company
(now Xcel Energy) purchased the Riverview Power Plant, probably
in the 1940s, and it's still there today and fired up when we need
extra power.." - Wes Reeves, July 25, 2005
To share history or photos of Electric City, Texas, please email
us.
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| 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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