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| Clipped from the 5 May 1912 Amarillo Daily News |
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Amarillo Mill and Elevator Company (1912) - 801 S. Grande
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| Clipped from 5 May 1912 Amarillo Daily News |
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| Ad clipped from 5 May 1912 Amarillo Daily News |
Amarillo Hotel after 1927 expansion
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| Amarillo Hotel after its expansion in 1927 - Image housed in Amarillo Library |
Durrett, J. R. (1881 - 1957) -- J. R. Durrett Investment Co., real estate, ranching
This fairytale home at 2202 S. Tyler was once owned by J. R. Durrett (2 Mar 1881 - Jun 1957). The house was built in 1925, and I think it has been in the Durret/Hays family ever since.
I am not sure if it was this house or another nearby, but a few years ago I saw some interior photos of a house in this neighborhood that showed a large living room with a beautifully ornate doomed ceiling. I am not sure, but maybe the whole living room was oval. It was beautiful. I wish I could remember which house it was.
I am not sure if it was this house or another nearby, but a few years ago I saw some interior photos of a house in this neighborhood that showed a large living room with a beautifully ornate doomed ceiling. I am not sure, but maybe the whole living room was oval. It was beautiful. I wish I could remember which house it was.
Anyway, J. R. Durrett was described in an undated article in the Amarillo Daily News as follows:
"J. R. Durrett, a large land owner of Armstrong County, was born March 2, 1881, in Lampasas, Texas, and was educated in Belton, and at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene. In the early 1900's he taught school and was principal of the school at McLean. It was there that he met and married Vern Teel, the daughter of G. J. Teel. From McLean he went to Clarendon where he continued to teach school. In Clarendon he also began to deal in real estate."
"He came to Miami, Texas where he was in the insurance business and bought and sold real estate. He then came to Amarillo in 1923 and has been engaged in extensive investments both in town and farming property in the Panhandle."
"He operated the J. R. Durrett Investment Co. in the Paramount Bldg. in partnership with his son Delmar and son-in-law McDonald Hays. Following the death of Eldon in a highway accident in 1950, Mr. Durrett established for his son the Eldon Durrett Memorial Scholarships. The initial amount of the fund was established at $30,000 to be used by young men of Amarillo to achieve a higher education. The Durrett family home is 2202 Tyler, Amarillo, where Mrs. Durrett lives following her husband's death June 1957."
Also, the Arts and Commerce building at Amarillo College was renamed J. R. Durrett Hall on July 7, 1958 in memory of Mr. Durrett, who died in June 1957.
"J. R. Durrett, a large land owner of Armstrong County, was born March 2, 1881, in Lampasas, Texas, and was educated in Belton, and at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene. In the early 1900's he taught school and was principal of the school at McLean. It was there that he met and married Vern Teel, the daughter of G. J. Teel. From McLean he went to Clarendon where he continued to teach school. In Clarendon he also began to deal in real estate."
"He came to Miami, Texas where he was in the insurance business and bought and sold real estate. He then came to Amarillo in 1923 and has been engaged in extensive investments both in town and farming property in the Panhandle."
"He operated the J. R. Durrett Investment Co. in the Paramount Bldg. in partnership with his son Delmar and son-in-law McDonald Hays. Following the death of Eldon in a highway accident in 1950, Mr. Durrett established for his son the Eldon Durrett Memorial Scholarships. The initial amount of the fund was established at $30,000 to be used by young men of Amarillo to achieve a higher education. The Durrett family home is 2202 Tyler, Amarillo, where Mrs. Durrett lives following her husband's death June 1957."
Also, the Arts and Commerce building at Amarillo College was renamed J. R. Durrett Hall on July 7, 1958 in memory of Mr. Durrett, who died in June 1957.
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| 2202 Tyler St. -- built in 1925 |
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| 2202 Tyler St. -- built in 1925 |
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| 2202 Tyler St. -- built in 1925 |
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| 2202 Tyler St. -- built in 1925 |
Cooperative Union Laundry -- 300 North Tyler (1920)
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| Ad clipped from the 11 July 1920 Amarillo Daily News |
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| Building at 300 N. Tyler Street today |
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| Building at 300 N. Tyler Street today |
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| Building at 300 N. Tyler Street today |
Burkett, Ben C. (1888 - 10 Jul 1956) -- Owner of Burkett Paper Co.
Benjamin Clinton Burkett was an Amarillo businessman whose interests included the Burkett Paper Company, a wholesale paper distributing company that was located at 1015 S. Polk Street. He and his wife Ione Burkett (1900 - 1987) came to Amarillo in June 1931 and began building their business. They lived at 2101 S. Lipscomb.
Ben C. Burkett was the father of Benjamin Burkett II, who went to work for at Shamrock Oil and Gas Corporation in 1960 and later become an assistant to Mesa Petroleum president T. Boone Pickens.
Ben C. Burkett was the father of Benjamin Burkett II, who went to work for at Shamrock Oil and Gas Corporation in 1960 and later become an assistant to Mesa Petroleum president T. Boone Pickens.
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| 1015 S. Polk Street, once the home of Burkett Paper Co. |
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| Article clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
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| Ad clipped from the Aug 14 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
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| Ben C. Burkett home at 2101 S. Lipscomb |
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| Ben C. Burkett home at 2101 S. Lipscomb |
Burkett II, Benjamin Clinton (1936 - 3 Jan 2009) -- Businessman
OBITUARY
Burkett II, Benjamin Clinton A long-time Dallas resident, died January 3rd in Midland Memorial Hospital. He was 72. Ben was instrumental in the success of Dallas-based Lear Petroleum. He joined the company in 1968 as its Chief Financial Officer (and first employee) and guided it through its first public stock offering in 1974, a series of debenture offerings, and its listing on the New York Stock Exchange. He retired from the company in 1980.
A native of Amarillo, Ben attended New Mexico Military Institute, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and joined the investment banking firm of Dominick and Dominick in New York City as an oil and gas analyst. Ben returned to Amarillo in 1960 and joined Shamrock Oil and Gas Corporation's finance department. Ben left Shamrock to join Mesa Petroleum as the assistant to President T. Boone Pickens. While at Mesa, Ben engineered the acquisition of Hugoton Production Co., a company significantly larger than Mesa in what was one of the earliest hostile tender offers in the nation.
After his retirement from Lear, Ben pursued his love of golf at Royal Oaks Country Club. Growing up, Ben was a junior golf champion, captain of the golf team and winner of many tournaments. He continued in business as a management consultant for a number of public and private companies. Ben spent that last several years traveling the world with his wife Carole. Ben was predeceased by his parents Ben C. Burkett, Sr. and Ione Braudt Burkett of Amarillo and his eldest son Ben C. Burkett, III. He is survived by his wife, Carole Warren Burkett of Midland, three sons, Mike and David of Dallas, Bob of Florida, and his brother, Dr.Robert J. Burkett of Fort Worth. A memorial service for Ben will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, January 6 at the First Presbyterian Church of Midland. Friends of Ben in the Dallas area are invited to a celebration of his life at 4pm Saturday, January 10th. Please contact Mike at Mike.Bur kett@JouleEnergyLLC.com for details.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Jan. 5, 2009
See more at Amarillo Globe News
A native of Amarillo, Ben attended New Mexico Military Institute, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and joined the investment banking firm of Dominick and Dominick in New York City as an oil and gas analyst. Ben returned to Amarillo in 1960 and joined Shamrock Oil and Gas Corporation's finance department. Ben left Shamrock to join Mesa Petroleum as the assistant to President T. Boone Pickens. While at Mesa, Ben engineered the acquisition of Hugoton Production Co., a company significantly larger than Mesa in what was one of the earliest hostile tender offers in the nation.
After his retirement from Lear, Ben pursued his love of golf at Royal Oaks Country Club. Growing up, Ben was a junior golf champion, captain of the golf team and winner of many tournaments. He continued in business as a management consultant for a number of public and private companies. Ben spent that last several years traveling the world with his wife Carole. Ben was predeceased by his parents Ben C. Burkett, Sr. and Ione Braudt Burkett of Amarillo and his eldest son Ben C. Burkett, III. He is survived by his wife, Carole Warren Burkett of Midland, three sons, Mike and David of Dallas, Bob of Florida, and his brother, Dr.Robert J. Burkett of Fort Worth. A memorial service for Ben will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, January 6 at the First Presbyterian Church of Midland. Friends of Ben in the Dallas area are invited to a celebration of his life at 4pm Saturday, January 10th. Please contact Mike at Mike.Bur kett@JouleEnergyLLC.com for details.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Jan. 5, 2009
See more at Amarillo Globe News
Friday, August 29, 2014
1010 S. Jefferson St. - Once home to Mr. Earl Vandale
This house at 1010 S. Jefferson St., right across from Ellwood Park, was built in 1904, which means it is 110 years old. I am not sure who the original owner of the house was, but it was listed as the address of a Thomas Franklin O'Kane in the "Official List of Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States" for the year 1919. I do not know if he owned the house or was just boarding there.
Mr. McKane was born in Alda, Nebraska on 18 January 1891. He enlisted in the 7th Texas National Guard in Amarillo, Texas in May 1917. He was sent to Camp Bowie, Texas, where he made sergeant. Then on 1 January 1918, Sgt. McKane was sent to officers' school, where he was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He was then sent to Camp Stewart, Texas, where he was assigned to Company F of the 143 Infantry Division. In August 1918, he arrived in France, where he was sent to the Front. I do not know if he was killed in action or not, but he was cited for bravery. He was the son of Daniel and Anna (Mitchell) O'Kane of Wood River, Nebraska.
Mr. McKane was born in Alda, Nebraska on 18 January 1891. He enlisted in the 7th Texas National Guard in Amarillo, Texas in May 1917. He was sent to Camp Bowie, Texas, where he made sergeant. Then on 1 January 1918, Sgt. McKane was sent to officers' school, where he was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He was then sent to Camp Stewart, Texas, where he was assigned to Company F of the 143 Infantry Division. In August 1918, he arrived in France, where he was sent to the Front. I do not know if he was killed in action or not, but he was cited for bravery. He was the son of Daniel and Anna (Mitchell) O'Kane of Wood River, Nebraska.
By 1929, the house was the home of a Mr. Earl Vandale, who came to Amarillo in 1925 as a buyer for the Magnolia Petroleum Company. He lived in Amarillo until his death in 1952.
By April 1946, the house had become the home of a Mr. Jack Nichols, and by 1948, a Mrs. Hazel Nichols was living in the house with her two daughters, Nancy and Dawn Nichols. In 1961 the house was featured in the Amarillo Globe Times, which included some photos of the home. Mrs. Hazel M. Nichols was still living in the house at the time.
Link to information on Mr. Earl Vandale
By April 1946, the house had become the home of a Mr. Jack Nichols, and by 1948, a Mrs. Hazel Nichols was living in the house with her two daughters, Nancy and Dawn Nichols. In 1961 the house was featured in the Amarillo Globe Times, which included some photos of the home. Mrs. Hazel M. Nichols was still living in the house at the time.
Link to information on Mr. Earl Vandale
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| Home at 1010 S. Jefferson St., built in 1904 |
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| Home at 1010 S. Jefferson St., built in 1904 |
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| Home at 1010 S. Jefferson St., built in 1904 |
Cunningham Floral Co. at 2511 West 6th Ave. (1938)
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| Ad clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
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| Building at 2511 West 6th Ave. |
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| Building at 2511 West 6th Ave. |
Dempster Mill Manufacturing Co. at 98 S. Polk St. (1938)
The b/w photos are from an ad in the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe for the Dempster Mill Manufacturing Co. at 98 S. Polk St. The color photo shows the same building today. The company in 1938 was manufacturing and selling windmills, which probably explains why there is a windmill in the background of the b/w photos.
Notice that the building has not changed much in the past 76 years since the b/w photo was taken. An engraving on the building states that the building was built in 1925, which means that the building is almost 90 years old.
Notice that the building has not changed much in the past 76 years since the b/w photo was taken. An engraving on the building states that the building was built in 1925, which means that the building is almost 90 years old.
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| Clipped from an ad in the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Group |
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| Building at 98 S. Polk, the same building that appeared in the 1938 ad. |
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| Ad clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
2918-20 West 6th Ave. - Ratliff Grocery & Market (1938)
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| Ad clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
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| The building pictured in the ad is still standing at 2918-20 West 6th Avenue today, though the front part of the building has been remodeled. |
Panhandle Counties Created
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| West Texas Counties and their creation dates |
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| Clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
Thursday, August 28, 2014
705 S. Polk St. - The New Marizon - Ready-to-Wear Clothing (1938
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| Clipped from an ad in the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe -- 705 S. Polk St. |
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| Building at 705 S. Polk St. today. Notice that the display windows have been removed on one side. |
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| Ad from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
613 West 10th Ave. -- Shaw-Graves Cleaners (1938)
The ad for Shaw-Graves Cleaners is from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe. The building in the ad is still standing today at 613 West 10th Ave.
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| Clipped from the 14 Aug 1938 Amarillo Sunday News-Globe |
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| Building at 613 West 10th Avenue |
2122 S. Harrison - the old Toney Chisum Home - Built in 1925
When I was researching the Amarillo automobile dealer Toney Chisum, who lived in Amarillo from 1916 until his death in 1944, I wanted to know not only where his business was located, but also where his home was located. I found out that he lived at 2022 S. Harrison Street in 1926, but I could not find that address on Google Maps, so I then checked the old Sanborn Insurance maps for the year 1921 and found that houses south of 21st & Harrison were unexplainably numbered 20** instead of 21**. In more recent times, however, the city of Amarillo has apparently changed the addresses for that area causing 2022 S. Harrison to become 2122 S. Harrison. I have been told by a relative of a previous owner of the house that Toney Chisum was, indeed, once the owner of the house, which was built in 1925.
Information on Amarillo automobile distributor Toney Chisum (22 Dec 1885 - 6 Oct 1944)
Information on Amarillo automobile distributor Toney Chisum (22 Dec 1885 - 6 Oct 1944)
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