Wickett, Texas. (original) (raw)
31�34'9"N 103�0'25"W (31.569032, -103.006896)
Highway 80 and FM 1219
About 7 Miles W of Monahans the county seat
About 21 Miles S of Kermit
Population: 529 Est. (2016)
498 (2010) 455 (2000) 560 (1990)
Wickett, Texas Area Hotels › Monahans Hotels
History in a Pecan Shell
The community dates from 1881 when it was a switch on the Texas and Pacific Railroad. It became a shipping point for oil in 1926 and in 1927 an oil discovery turned the switch into a very active place. It was renamed after Fred Wickett, an oilman who actively promoted his namesake town.
The community was granted a post office and by 1933 there was a refinery at Wickett and a population estimated to be 200.
The 1930s were a time of expansion and Wickett added a carbon black plant and a gasoline refinery. The 1940 census counted 350 residents which continued growing through the mid 1960s when it peaked at nearly 1,000 people. The population declined thereafter, reaching 560 in 1990 and arriving at 455 for the 2000 census.
Ward County 1920s map showing Wickett
(shown as Aroya)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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