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

Bridgetown

(Ghost Townsite, Located Near This Site, on Red River)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, November 23, 2021

1. Bridgetown Marker

Inscription. When the Northwest Extension of the Burkburnett oil field opened in 1919, prospectors thronged this area. Bridgetown sprang up at the Texas end of a mile-long Red River toll bridge built for oil field traffic. It became the largest and wealthiest of 12 communities that mushroomed in this area during rivalry among major oil companies and independent producers. Lease values rose from $10 to $20,000 an acre. A city of tents, shanties and a few substantial structures, Bridgetown had a long main street with a Mission church at one end and a saloon at the other. Its post office opened July 15, 1920. The population in the early 1920s was estimated at 3,500 to 10,000. Litigation over riverbed oil rights caused the U.S. Supreme Court to station a receiver in the town. He was Frederick A. Delano, uncle of future president Franklin D. Roosevelt. With aid from Texas Rangers, Delano and other leaders invoked law and order.

In a few years oil yields diminished, and the jail, theaters, dance halls, and gambling houses vanished. By 1929 only 100 inhabitants remained. By 1931 the bridge was down. The post office closed in 1935. Afterward

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the site of the makeshift oil "capital" reverted to range and agricultural uses.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 509.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 1920.

Location. 34° 5.801′ N, 98° 40.445′ W. Marker is near Burkburnett, Texas, in Wichita County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 240 and Bridgetown Road, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Receiver Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ghost Town of Clara (approx. 1.4 miles away);

Photographed by Brian Anderson, November 23, 2021

2. Bridgetown Marker

Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Clara Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Thrift (approx. 2½ miles away); Northwest Extension Oilfield (approx. 2½ miles away); Burnett Horse Ranch (approx. 3½ miles away); Simon Peter Hawkins (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkburnett.

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

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 1,658 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.