Whittenburg, Texas. (original) (raw)

	"Drilling for oil in the main street of Whittenburg, Texas" Photo Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection

Founded as Whittenburg, merged with Pantex in 1938 and now part of present-day Phillips, Texas
History in a Pecan Shell

Just a mile northeast of Borger, Whittenburg was founded by area rancher James A. Whittenburg when oil was discovered in the area in 1926.

The Phillips Petroleum Company had a refinery under construction and the "town" had originally been intended to house Phillips employees. But the oil seemed it would flow forever and permanent structures soon replaced the tin roofed shanties.

Whittenburg was granted the post office shown below in 1926 - while Isom and Borger argued about who would get naming rights for the oil field. Isom lost and merged with Borger in 1926 - about the time Whittenburg's population was 200. Whittenburg maintained its separate identity until 1936 when it merged with Pantex, Texas, both becoming Phillips.

	Oil Derrick next to the Whittenburg Post Office Photo Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection

"Sand Storm, Borger, Texas, April 14, 1935"
Postcard courtesy Bob Walker

Sand storm postcard posted in Whittenburg, one mile from Borger
Postcard courtesy Bob Walker

*****Not a traditional "ghost town" but one that once had its own separate identity which has been lost - for whatever reason.

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