Near Burkburnett in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Thrift

(Ghost Townsite, 1.25 Miles North)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, November 23, 2021

1. Thrift Marker

Inscription. "Newtown", or "Thrift", originated about 1919 in the Northwestern Extension of the Burkburnett Oil Field. Early in its existence it gained prestige by the founding of a bank - the only one in the area at that time. Mostly a tent city, Thrift suffered many fires. One of these, started by lightning striking an oil tank in 1920, caused two deaths and wiped out much of the town. Thrift's Post Office opened in 1925. After the population shrank to 30 in 1929, the bank, a church, school and store served people living at oil field pump stations, but all of Thrift's buildings are now gone.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5483.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 34° 5.779′ N, 98° 37.851′ W. Marker is near Burkburnett, Texas, in Wichita County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 240 and Farm to Market Road 368, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 240. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burkburnett TX 76354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Northwest Extension Oilfield (here, next to this marker); Burnett Horse Ranch (approx. one mile away); Bridgetown

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(approx. 2½ miles away); Simon Peter Hawkins (approx. 2½ miles away); Booker T. Washington Elementary School (approx. 3 miles away); Providence Baptist Church (approx. 3 miles away); Journey's End Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Receiver Bridge (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkburnett.

More about this marker. Marker is dual dated 1977 and 2002.

Also see . . . Thrift, TX - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on November 30, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, November 23, 2021

2. Thrift Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.