Andrews County Texas Oil and Ranching History
Andrews County on the South High Plains spans 1,504 square miles with Andrews as the county seat. Florey and Frankel City lie in western and northeastern sections amid mineralized water lakes Shafter and Whalen. Cattle ranching drove early growth with trail drives to Dodge City and Kansas City. Fort Worth stockyards later boosted shipments via Midland on the Texas and Pacific Railway. A private bank opened in 1889, joining the national system in 1890, and by 1910 the county had five schools, a telephone system, a Methodist Church, and daily mail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
High Plains
New Mexico
Andrews
Andrews County
Florey
Frankel City
Shafter
Whalen
Dodge City
Kansas City
Fort Worth
Midland
Texas and Pacific Railway
National Banking System
Andrews County History From Texas Revolution to Indian Campaigns
Andrews County was one of 54 counties created in 1876 from Bexar Territory and named for Richard Andrews, the first Texas Revolution casualty. The Andrews Gaines territory withstood late 19th century Indian resistance and hosted a major trail from New Mexico into Texas used by Apache raiders and General Shafter’s 1873 75 expeditions. Shafter Trail and a nearby salt lake northwest of town bear his name.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Andrews
Bexar Territory
Richard Andrews
Andrews-Gaines
New Mexico
Texas
Shafter
Cattle First Economic Activity
The article notes cattle farming as the primary economic activity influenced by water shortages. It cites lack of sufficient water as a key constraint impacting ranching and related agricultural livelihoods.
Oil Boom Transforms Andrews County’s Economy
The county’s property values rose to the millions after the Humble Oil No. 1 R M Means well in 1943 and later growth boosted oil production. By 1947 Andrews ranked twelfth in Texas oil output, expanding beyond agriculture with new commercial and industrial activity since early discoveries starting in 1919.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Permian
Humble Oil Company
Andrews
West Texas
Texas
State budget wrangles spark tax talk and bond debate
In a frank column the writer blasts lawmakers for spending the tax money and calls for investing special funds in federal bonds to boost returns. He notes proposed driver’s responsibility insurance, rent control friction, and looming omnibus tax hikes while urging readers to contact their representatives.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
U.S
Austin
D. C
Lone Star
Senate
House
Washington, D. C
Old Wives Tales Hinder Cancer Control in Texas
Houston Texas Special J Louis Neff executive director of the American Cancer Society Texas Division says old fashioned ideas about cancer hinder control. He notes cancer is not caused by injury aluminum utensils foods alcohol or contact and is not contagious or hereditary in itself. He urges dispelling myths to spread facts and aid Texas in conquering cancer. Renewal prompt appears at end.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Houston
Texas
J. Louis Neff
American Cancer Society
Also Mentioned on This Page
H. D. Landes
Optometrist
Andrews, Texas
Mayfair's
Mayfair
N. Grant Street
Odessa, Texas
Frost Baking Co
J. T. Rutherford
B. B. Rogers
THE
Andrews County News
Che Andrews County
Chas. W. Roberts
Charles W. Roberts, JR
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