Derricks

Kilgore’s unique skyline, filled with oil derricks, is back. KHPF has saved, raised money. moved and erected 37 derricks, many in downtown. While other cities are hiding their industrial heritage, Kilgore celebrates it! In recognition of this unusual endeavor, KHPF won the coveted Anice Read Award from the Texas Historical Commission in 1989. Kilgore’s derrick restoration was deemed the state’s most unique preservation project for the year.

I. World’s Richest Acre: (12 plus KIBA 1)

1. Leon Gibson

2. James & Madora Dickson

3. Kelly & Faye Dickson

4. Austin Prather Merritt

5. Luther & Bernice Bolt

6. H. L. Pete Long

7. John Luke Hill, Sr. Family

8. John Mobley

9. J. J. Jenkins

10. R. E. Spradlin

11. F. E. Brown

12. Roosth & Genecov

II. Railroad Right of Way (22)

(west side of Commerce)

1. R.W. Fair

2. J. E. Eddie Adamson

3. Sam & Ruth Ross

4. Oscar Melven & Myra Stephens Jeter

5. The Florey Family

6. John Cyril Robbins

7. Robert F. Bob Powell

8. Alvin Monroe Sutton

9. Paul Lewis Miller

10. A. V. & Mable Riley

11. Karl F. & Coralyn Harris Edmonds

12. Howard P. Coghlan

13. Rayna & Henry Wallace

14. Addie Louise “Sis” Dickerson

15. Floyd Jefferson, Blanch Smith & Charles Floyd Dickerson

16. Maude & S. S. Laird

17. Roy Collum & R. L. Dotson

18. Jim Hollingsworth

19. Ben & Kate Laird

20. Lacy Williams

21. Clements

22. Edmonds (being erected 2015)

III. Downtown (8)

(various sites)

1. Wiley & Dora Crim (Kilgore & Lantrip – Christmas Tree Park)

2. William Thomas Maxwell (Kilgore & Lantrip – Christmas Tree Park)

3. Marvin A. Smith (Main & Martin – Citizens Bank Parking Lot)

4. Mr. & Mrs. W. A. King (Kilgore St. — behind Charburger)

5. Jack & Winter Elder (Kilgore & Commerce St. – behind Elder Ins. Building)

6. R. S. & Margaret Martin (Sabine & Kilgore –across from KISD Ad Bldg)

7. Art Machin (Martin & North – parking lot First Baptist Church)

8. Love & Roberts (Rusk & Sabine – next to Lions Club bldg)

IV. Others (11)

1. Bank (Kilgore & Hwy 42)

2. Louise Florey (Kay & Wood – next to Community House)

3. Gussie Nell Davis (Kilgore College – next to Rangerette Gym)

4. Larry Richardson (Hwy 259 Brookshire’s Plaza-Community Inn)

5. Lloyd & Evelyn Bolding (Hwy 42 & Longview St.)

6. Kilgore High School (Longview St)

7. Francis E. Brown, Jr. (Houston Street – traffic circle)

8. Samuel Hardy Killingsworth (Hwy 42 – Railroad Commission)

9. Thelma Dickson (Hwy 259 north – loop overpass with plaque in WRA Park)

10. Mickey Smith (Hwy 135 North –Peavine road)

11. Gateway 42 (Roosth Foundation) derrick 42 access off I20