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| | "Outsourcing?
We don't need no stinking outsourcing!"
Hardworking men of International
Supply Co. of Texas
Isom, Texas 1926 - Photo courtesy Paul Berg |
History in a Pecan
Shell
The
site is said to have been founded around 1898 by John F. Weatherly, a rancher
who built a dugout and gave the future town the grandiose (or facetious) name
of Granada. Weatherly's wife wanted it named after her former home - a town in
West Virginia (also defunct). Since this page is named Isom and not Granada,
it's easy to guess which side won the argument.
The town has the dubious
distinction of being the oldest of the townsites annexed by Borger. |
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Oil
derrick off Isom's Main Street
Photo Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection | | |
In
1900 Weatherly opened a store in his ranchhouse which also became the first post
office. Mrs. Weatherly opened a cafe and the community had a school opened by
1907. In October of 1919, the mail was diverted through Plemons and the Isom post
office closed.
The Weatherlys lost interest in the town they founded and
moved to Panhandle, Texas in 1922. But they wisely
retained ownership of all that was Isom. When oil was discovered in early 1926,
Weatherly returned and moved the town to the railroad's oilfield spur. It was
directly across from Borger.
Isom was platted with all lots south of First Street being Isom, Texas and all
streets north in Borger. From June to December of 1926, the towns were rivals.
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Borger-Isom
Depot
Photo Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection | | |
Although
the town had a railroad depot, several oil-well supply warehouses and no shortage
of would-be citizens, a petition signed by 1,200 residents in early December declared
Borger the winner. Isom's school merged with Borger's schools, driving the last
nail in Isom's coffin.
Perhaps things would've been different if Isom
had remained Granada.
© John Troesser |
Isom
Texas Forum Subject:
Isom, Texas 1926
I found an old photo from my grandmothers boxes of
Isom, Texas. I can not identify anyone in the photo but it is in excellent condition.
I am from Amarillo but currently
live in Alabama, photo was found in Arkansas. Long story for another email. -
Paul Berg, March 17, 2006
Anyone wishing to share memories, stories
or photos of old Isom, Texas (or Isom, West Virginia for that matter), please
contact us.
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