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History in
a Pecan Shell
The town was named for Texas legislator, judge and (at that time a newly appointed)
railroad commissioner, William Pinckney McLean (1836-1925). McLean grew up around
a water well drilled by the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Texas Railroad Company in 1901.
English rancher Alfred Rowe laid out a townsite and mail service began
with the opening of the McLean post office in 1902.
Two years later
McLean was thriving with stores, wagonyards, a lumberyard, livery stables and
its own newspaper, modestly named the McLean News.
A well in Main Street
was the towns first infrastructure - outfitted with a windmill the water was hauled
to households by the barrel.
McLean made efforts (in 1908 and 1919) to
replace Lefors as the Gray County Seat.
The rivalry was settled when the oil boom made Pampa
the county's dominant city.
By 1940 the population was around 1,500 and
in 1943 a German P.O.W. Camp
was built, providing some jobs for the town - but having the unforeseen negative
effect at having local women marry American guards and move away.
By
1948 the Camp was reduced to only foundations and today an airfield cuts across
the former camp center.
Amarillo
has drained off McLeans population over the years - reducing the number of McLean
citizens to only 1,183 in 1970.
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McLean,
Texas Attractions/Landmarks |
The
Avalon Theater Then
Old Postcard courtesy Delbert Trew |
"Harrell
Bro's Livery, McLean, Texas"
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
The
O'Dell Hotel, McLean, Texas
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
McLean
is fortunate to have a very active group of preservation-minded citizens that
have restored two historic gasoline service stations (The First Phillips
66 station outside of Oklahoma and a 1932 Texaco station) as well as the Avalon
Theater downtown.
A former garment factory now provides space for twin
museums. One, Devil's
Rope Museum is a tribute to barbed wire and it's indisputable importance and
the other is devoted to Texas' portion of the fabled highway
- Route 66.
The Prisoner
of War Camp was acknowledged by the dedication of a historical marker in 1997.
Delbert Trew, Panhandle rancher, historian, and columnist, has written a
most informative book on the McLean P.O.W. Camp comprised of interviews, photos,
and most importantly, the memories of those who had some connection to the camp
back in the 40s. The book is now in it's fourth printing. Trew is also the author
of the R.O. Ranch - a history of ranch and the Englishman owner R. O. Rowe - the
man who platted the town of McLean and died under unusual circumstances
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McLean
Chronicles McLean
P.O.W. Camp by Delbert
TrewPederson
Creek offered unique privileges
by Delbert Trew
"Early residents along Pederson Creek
just west of McLean enjoyed two privileges most other settlers did not have..."
A
look at wash day from early to modern by Delbert Trew
"...David
Bowerman of Amarillo asked whether I knew some of his relatives who operated a
laundry or "wash-a-teria" in early McLean. When the question was presented to
our coffee shop locals, we heard some interesting facts and stories about this
most important local institution..." |
A
souvenir postcard circa 1955
TE postcard archives |
McLean
Texas Forum Subject:
Gracey School near McLean Texas
My name is Jim Gracey and my grandfather
was James Rush Gracey (b 1858 d. 1938) who worked on a ranch in the Texas Panhandle.
I remember as a small boy (circa 1940) going to visit a brick school house near
McLean Texas that was named "Gracey School". There were even school busses with
the name Gracey on it. I have been searching my parents old photographs to find
a picture but have been unsuccessful. The story I remember was that J. R. Gracey
had something to do with founding the school and that was why it was named after
him. I have no idea if the building still exists. I would appreciate any information
you may have or any suggestions for further research. - Jim Gracey, July 06,
2005Related
Topics: Texas Towns | Texas
Ghost Towns | Texas
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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