|
|
History
in a Pecan Shell
Named for nearby Wildorado Creek, Wildorado became a town in 1900
when it was marked as a planned stop on the Chicago, Rock Island
and Gulf Railroad survey.
A post office was granted in 1904 and the railroad (finally) reached
the town in 1908.
A bank, hotel and newspaper soon followed. In 1915 Wildorado was thriving
with a population of 100, and the requisite stores, churches and schools.
In the late twenties and thirties, Wildorado was tortured by sandstorms
and droughts.
The rowdy element of some Panhandle
boomtowns saw Wildorado as an easy target and banks and stores were
robbed.
By 1936 Wildorado's population dropped to a mere 57, but by 1947 it
had increased to 125.
Construction of Interstate 40 brought the population up to 210 by
1957 and a water corporation in the mid 70s established a dependable
water supply and irrigation wells.
Wildorado,
Texas Landmarks:
|
Wind
farm near Wildorado
Photo courtesy Tom
Jones, 2007 |
Wildorado rural
scene
Photo
courtesy Tom
Jones, 2007 |
Scenes near Wildorado
Photo courtesy Tom
Jones, 2007 |
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. |
|
|