Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Col-Tex Refinery
Photographed By Fraser Will, December 28, 2021
1. Col-Tex Refinery Marker
This picture of the completed replacement marker was taken at the foundry.
In 1924, L. H. Pritchard and J. Steve Anderson opened West Texas Refinery Company just west of Colorado City to process Mitchell County oil. Ownership soon changed to Standard Oil of California, which renamed the company Col-Tex Refining. From the 1930s to 1950s, the refinery operated at a full capacity of 12,000 barrels a day. The company was a major part of Colorado City life; it employed many local workers and residents timed their activities by the refinery whistle.
In 1958, Cosden Petroleum Company acquired the refinery and sold it five years later to American Petrofina, which managed the refinery until ceasing operations in 1969. Their successor, Fina, commenced environmental cleanup of the refinery in 1992.
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16834.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 32° 23.341′ N, 100° 52.492′ W. Marker is in Colorado City, Texas, in Mitchell County. Marker is on West 2nd Street, 0.2 miles west of Cherry Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colorado City TX 79512, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mitchell County (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named
this page online
Photographed By Fraser Will, April 2022
2. Col-Tex Refinery Marker
This photo shows the replacement marker in position in April 2022.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017
3. Col-Tex Refinery Marker
This photo is of the post when the marker was missing.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017
4. Col-Tex Refinery Marker
This photo is of the surrounding area when the marker was missing.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 387 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2023, by Fraser Will of Houston, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
