Kilgore was once one of the richest and wildest communities in east Texas. Its claim to fame? Oil. Almost overnight over 1000 oil derricks went up in one city block. Kilgore became a true “wild west” town, with fortune hunters and not-so-savory characters flocking in to stake their claim. Things became so disorderly in the summer of 1931, that the Texas Rangers were sent to Kilgore to restore order.
In Texas, Kilgore is known as The City of Stars for the stars that decorate the remaining oil derricks. I didn’t know this until I went to Kilgore for a day of work on a reality show, Kitchen Impossible.
The tiny downtown area has been restored and has several small restaurants, a few cute shops, and the old Crim movie theater. Distinguishing Kilgore from other small Texas towns are the oil derricks. I think they add an architectural element that makes it more interesting. Otherwise, it would be just like any other small rural town, that was once a boom town. The derricks are strictly for historical interest now and not in use.
According to the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce website, the lights on top of the oil derricks are turned on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Over eighty oil derricks are remaining hence the name, City of Stars. If I head that way again I’ll probably stop and photograph them again.
Kilgore is just a few miles off Interstate 20 East. Follow the signs for downtown. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the rows of oil derricks. If you’d like to read more about the restoration of the oil derricks check out the Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation website.
All materials copyright Penny Sadler 2012.
4 comments
I grew up in Texas but was never in Kilgore. I do remember lots of derricks on the outskirts of Houston but they are long gone.
Hi Karen,
I only went there to work for the day. However, it makes an interesting “backroads” stop.
A quick stop. 🙂
This is a great postcard!
Thanks Meg. The oil derricks were very architecturally interesting. The restoration foundation really did a great job.