Royalty, Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

After oil was discovered at Grandfalls in 1927, this town was named after the "royalties" paid to property owners. The town grew up as an oil field supply point. Formerly known as Allentown, Texas, the name was changed with the opening of the post office.

Royalty had a mere population of 20 in 1933 and businesses were consistent with the bare-bones necessities of an oil town: cafe, barber, pool hall, hotel, laundry and drugstore. Its high water mark was reached just prior to WWII with a population of 750 but by 1950 there were only 280. It has now reached the point where population is only an estimate.

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.