Kilgore Historical
Preservation Foundation
The Kilgore Historical
Preservation Foundation
was founded in 1987 to
preserve and restore the
unique oil derrick skyline of
boomtown Kilgore.  Initially
concerned about vanishing
derricks, the foundation has
evolved into protecting the
unique heritage of Kilgore
as well.
(903) 984-1333           P O BOX 885,    KILGORE, TEXAS    75662
A non-profit organization promoting, protecting and preserving the heritage of Kilgore, Texas.

In just ten short days,
the town's population
exploded as more than
10,000 fortune seekers
swarmed Kilgore from all
over the world. By 1939, a
forest of nearly 1,200 oil
derricks crowded together
within the city limits - most
concentrated within one
square block that became
known as the World's
Richest Acre. One well
was actually drilled
through the terrazzo floor
of the Kilgore National
Bank that once stood in
the area. Kilgore quickly
became known as the
capitol of the huge East
Texas Oil Field.

In sharp contrast to the
thriving boomtown of the
1930's, Kilgore today is a
city that blends its rich oil
heritage with a
technologically advanced
business community that
provides residents with an
incomparable quality of
life.  The people who live
here see Kilgore as a
friendly small town that
has many characteristics
of a larger community. A
high tech industrial base,
an outstanding public
school system and
community college,
abundant recreational
opportunities and
extraordinary cultural
events make Kilgore a
unique small city, a city
that has an eye on the
future but still remembers
and honors its historical
past.
BOOM!
The Crim Theatre
The Texan Theatre





Caleb Pirtle has posted a five-part series on the East
Texas oil boom.  


Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five



Caleb Pirtle's Blog

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