KILGORE

Population 11,266

Altitude 371

General

Plantation owners settled area before the civil War, but the town was not established until building of the Great Northern railroad (later Missouri Pacific) in 1872. The town is center of huge East Texas Oil field discovered in 1930s, over 1,200 wells once within the city limits, some still producing. Some remaining steel derricks are nostalgic reminders of early boom days, now decorated during Christmas.

EAST TEXAS OIL MUSEUM

RANGERETTE SHOWCASE

WORLD'S RICHEST ACRE

Attractions

• EAST TEXAS OIL MUSEUM - Every aspect of the oil boom days of the 1930s is re-created through dioramas, films, sound and mementos of the oil field, and from the daily lives of the people. An ancient drilling rig is displayed outside. Inside, stores and a street scene bring the past to lie. Also, geological exhibits and a simulated 3,800 foot elevator ride to the oil formations within the earth. U.S. 259 at Ross Street. (On Kilgore campus).

• RANGERETTE SHOWCASE -Films and displays of props, costumes, uniforms, awards, and mementos of Kilgore College's world-famous precision drill and dance team, known for its trademark "highkick" routine. The first of its kind, the Rangerettes were formed in 1940 as half-time entertainment for local football games. Their performance at bowl games and internationally has brought fame to Kilgore College. On campus at Broadway at Ross.

• WORLD'S RICHEST ACRE - On part of one downtown block, actually about 1.2 acres, once stood greatest concentration of oil wells in the world producing more than 2.5 million barrels of oil. All but one of original derricks were dismantled in early 1960s. The original derrick and eleven new ones, erected in a historical preservation program, are monuments to the oil boom of 1930s. A historical marker details history of the plot. An interesting sidelight is that one well was drilled through terrazzo floor of the Kilgore National Bank that once stood on site. Business Route Texas 135 at Main and Commerce Streets.

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This file was last modified Thursday, 12-Oct-95 01:39:20