Alvord in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
General Ernest O. Thompson
(To the Northeast, at 606 Washington Street, is the birthplace of)
— (1892 - 1966) —
A third generation Texan, born here in Alvord. Left college to enter service in World War I, earning a battlefield commission as Lieutenant Colonel - at the time the youngest in American Army. In 1930 gained national acclaim as crusading mayor of Amarillo.
Appointed (1932) to Texas Railroad Commission, served by election until 1966. From prior career of lawyer-hotel owner, he stepped into public duty which sent him at once into East Texas during the world's greatest oil boom, to enforce probation. At peril of his life, he shut off non-complying wells and made the petroleum industry respect Texas laws. He became a pioneer in conservation practices. With prompting from President Franklin Roosevelt, he led in 1934 in founding of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission. In Paris in 1937, he represented the United States at the World Petroleum Congress. By presidential order he was returned to Texas by the army in World War II, to insure oil supplies for Allied military forces.
He was awarded American Petroleum Institute Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement, in 1951. As an international authority on oil - a key to world trade - he had great influence on the course of history.
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2129.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 33° 21.714′ N, 97° 42.051′ W. Marker is in Alvord, Texas, in Wise County. Marker is on East Franklin Street (Business U.S. 287) west of West Elm Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alvord TX 76225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. City of Alvord (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church Alvord (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ball Knob Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Capture of Willie & Bud Ball (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hopewell Baptist Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Battle of the Knobs (approx. 9.1 miles away); Republic of Texas' Santa Fe Expedition in Wise County (approx. 9.9 miles away); Lake Bridgeport (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alvord.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.