Near Burkburnett in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ghost Town of Clara
Specht built his home in Iowa Park in 1890 and ran a ranch at Clara where he grew wheat. North of the church site, he had a large experimental nursery for unusual plants. The 1891 drought wiped out the nursery and Specht's crops. The 1900 Galveston storm destroyed the remainder of their vast holdings.
Clara included a church, schools, store, garage and post office. Hampered by an inadequate water supply, the town began to decline with the consolidation of the school with the Burkburnett schools. During the oil boom of the 1920s, many residents moved to Wichita Falls. Good roads and cars made it possible to shop elsewhere. The town finally vanished except for the church, rectory and cemetery.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2180.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 34° 5.505′ N, 98° 41.816′ W. Marker is near Burkburnett, Texas, in Wichita County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 240 and Hall Road (Farm to Market Road 1813), on the right when traveling east on State Highway 240. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Iowa Park TX 76367, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Clara Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Receiver Bridge (approx. ¾ mile away); Bridgetown (approx. 1.4 miles away); Tenth Cavalry Creek (approx. 3.8 miles away); Thrift (approx. 3.8 miles away); Northwest Extension Oilfield (approx. 3.8 miles away); Burnett Horse Ranch (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkburnett.
Also see . . . Clara, TX (Wichita County) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on November 25, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.