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"Outsourcing?
We don't need no stinking outsourcing!" Hardworking men of International
Supply Co. of Texas in Isom, July 26, 1926
Click on image to enlarge
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.
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.
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.
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Oil derrick off
Isom's Main Street, August 17, 1926
Click on image to enlarge
Photo
Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection |
"Borger-Isom
Depot"
Click on image to enlarge
Photo
Courtesy Ken Sharpe Collection |
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
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1907 Texas postal map showing
Hutchinson County
& Isom
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| 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. |
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