Thurber a ghost town? Not at all

<h3>People, businesses and a museum call this one-time company town home</h3>

By Jonnie Goodwin

Special to the Index

THURBER – At its peak, Thurber was the largest town between Fort Worth and El Paso, producing coal for train consumption, bricks for roads and construction, and oil (Thurber’s owners brought in the first oil well in the Ranger Oil Boom). Thurber existed in Erath County from 1886 to 1936.

Texas & Pacific Coal Co. completely owned Thurber – every building, house and all real estate. When oil made coal obsolete and paving bricks for roadways gave way to asphalt and concrete, T&P; closed down the town and moved its offices to Fort Worth.

In 1936, when the town was torn down except for a few brick buildings and the landmark smokestack, the people of Thurber found other work and places to live, and Thurber became a ghost town … not!

Within the two-mile radius of downtown Thurber, (designated by Historical Places) lives a population of approximately 45 people, with five thriving businesses. Thurber still exists today, located at exit 367 off Interstate 20 midway between Fort Worth and Abilene.

The first thing most people observe is the 148-foot smokestack rising from the surrounding hills and trees. The smokestack is on the north side of I-20, and is a designated historic landmark. Also on the old downtown square is The Smokestack Restaurant, occupying the original Dry Goods Building. Thurber Cemetery is located on the hill north of the old plaza, and Steam Shovel Mountain is located to the north and east. Inquire at the Smokestack Restaurant for a key to the cemetery.

Art-4-U – a small gallery with excellent selections of paintings, photographic works, sculptures, etc., is open Monday, 9 a.m.-noon, for art classes, or you can call (254) 693-5750 for an appointment.

Directly across on the south side of the interstate is Thurber Park (Thurber Historical Association Inc.), New York Hill Restaurant, the W.K. Gordon Museum and Greystone Castle Sporting Club.

Sitting at the base of New York Hill, Saint Barbara’s Church stands out first, then the rest of Thurber Park. Thurber House, Plaza Bandstand, Miners Railcar, two bocci ball courts – all buildings restored and original, situated on approximately 3 acres. Informative brochures are available in holders at each building. Events are scheduled the second Saturdays in April, June, October and December. Call to set up a special tour event.

Take the drive up New York Hill to New York Hill Restaurant. To the right of the parking lot is the Overlook – a bronze plaque displaying present-day views with “old Thurber” locations and comments.

And how can you miss the W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas Museum and Visitors Center – known locally as W.K. Gordon Museum – a beautiful brick building housing pictures, artifacts, interactive displays and much, much more all centered on the history of Thurber, its people, organizations and activities. Here you can learn about the impact of the oil industry on Thurber – and the world. See a replica oil derrick, a scale-model oil well and historic photos of the McCleskey No. 1 well, which started it all.

Behind the museum, atop a mountain where the No. 1 mine was discovered, is Greystone Castle Sporting Club (254) 672-5927. The facilities (building and acreage) are available for weddings, retreats, seminars and conferences.

Thurber has two excellent restaurants – both have been in business for many years, display photos and artifacts of Thurber, and have great food. The menus offer information on Thurber’s history, and the food served guarantees Thurber will be around for a long time in the future.



Thurber happenings

What’s going on, and when and where:

• Art-4-U (254) 693-5750.

• Greystone Castle Sporting Club (254) 672-5927.

• New York Hill Restaurant (254) 672-5848.

• The Smokestack Restaurant (254) 672-5560.

• Thurber Cemetery-Historical Cemetery-located on private property. Inquire about the key at The Smokestack Restaurant or W.K. Gordon Museum.

• Thurber Park (Thurber Historical Association, Inc.) is the location of many “Second Saturday” activities throughout the year, starting with the Bocci Ball Benefit Tournament on the second Saturday in April and the State Championship Tournament on the second Saturday in October. Four-member teams compete in double-elimination play against seasoned players and rank beginners. Open to all, this is a lively, active game, brought to Thurber by Italian immigrants. The second Saturday in June is the Thurber Annual Reunion, which has been held each year since 1937. The last “Second Saturday” activity, on Dec. 12, is the beautiful, moving Candlelight Service held in the 117-year-old Saint Barbara’s Church. St. Barbara’s is now a non-denominational church. Available for groups, tours, weddings, family events. For more information on Thurber Park call (254) 672-5337.

• W.K. Gordon Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Small entrance fee and closed certain holidays. Call (254) 968-1886 for information.

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