City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday | White Way Dance Hall

In 1920's Borger, when the sun went down, the White Way Dance Hall lit up.

Among the most famous landmarks of Borger’s early years was Mattie’s White Way Dance Hall, owned and operated by Mattie Sular Miley Castlebury (1890–1954). In the 1920s, the term “White Way” referred to a brightly illuminated street or entertainment district, where rows of electric lights seemingly turned night into day. The name represented something exciting and distinctly modern, and Mattie’s establishment lived up to it.

A dance cost 25¢. Of that, the dance hall girl kept 10¢, while management received 15¢. Mattie was a businesswoman who was said to have followed Ace Borger from Oklahoma to the new Texas oil boom in 1926. Despite the reputation surrounding Borger’s dance halls and nightlife, Mattie herself was considered a respectable businesswoman, and her establishments were reportedly well-run and legal.
She would later operate the Tokio Club on (619) Sixth Street.

Then came 1929. As state authorities moved to bring order to Borger and martial law was declared, Mattie left town. Like so many who followed the oil booms across the country, she simply followed the next one, eventually opening a club near Kilgore, Texas, during the East Texas oil boom. When the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field in 1930 triggered another enormous population boom, Mattie once again recognized opportunity. On April 19, 1931, she opened Mattie’s Ballroom, strategically located along the highway between Longview and Kilgore.

Much like her White Way Dance Hall in Borger, Mattie’s new establishment catered to the people drawn to the promise of oil. The original ballroom was a modest wooden building tucked among the East Texas pines, but inside, oilmen, derrick hands and local residents gathered for an evening of music and dancing. Depending on the night, the music might range from German polka and square dancing to the sounds of the big-band era. Mattie eventually became involved with another legendary East Texas dance hall, the Palm Isle, which opened outside Longview in 1935. Built to capitalize on the region’s explosive growth, the venue featured an enormous hardwood dance floor and quickly became a popular entertainment destination. In 1942, after the Palm Isle’s owner was drafted during World War II, Mattie leased the club and briefly operated both venues. By 1943, she closed Mattie’s Ballroom and turned her attention entirely to the Palm Isle.

The stage there would host some of the biggest names in American music, including Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Bob Wills. Mattie sold the Palm Isle in 1948. Under later ownership, the venue became the Reo Palm Isle and continued its remarkable musical legacy, welcoming performers including Ray Price, Jim Reeves, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.

Stories like Mattie’s remind us that Borger wasn't built only by oilmen and roughnecks. Women were entrepreneurs here, too. And a quick search of her name shows the legacy she left.

#100yearsofgrit

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2 days ago | [YT] | 0

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday | Signal Hill: The Boomtown That Vanished

Drive a little ways Northeast of Borger (and Stinnett), and there is little to suggest that nearly a century ago, one of Hutchinson County's wildest communities stood there. No downtown. No storefronts. No population sign. But in 1926, Signal Hill was very much alive. And it had a reputation. Bootleggers. Gamblers. Bank robbers. Ladies of the night. Gangs.

Signal Hill was founded in 1926 by Earl Thompson right along a proposed route for the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway. With oil transforming Hutchinson County almost overnight, Thompson saw an opportunity to build a community in the middle of the action. And for one brief, chaotic moment, it worked.

Ironically, Signal Hill was never intended to become the notorious outlaw haven it would later be remembered as. Thompson reportedly borrowed the name from Signal Hill, California, after visiting friends who lived in an impressive home there. Inspired by what he saw, Thompson envisioned a similar community where those prospering from the Panhandle oil boom could build homes of their own.

That vision didn't exactly go according to plan. Instead of California style prosperity, Signal Hill became known for speakeasies, gambling houses, bootleggers and outlaws. The dream may have been an upscale oil boom community. What emerged was pure Panhandle boomtown chaos.

Even the origin of the name has a little mystery attached to it. One account offers a much simpler explanation: the settlement climbed toward the top of a small hill, and Signal Hill was simply a reference to the landscape. Another account offers a more colorful explanation: the hill itself served as a lookout point. From the higher ground, residents could spot approaching law enforcement and signal those operating illegal whiskey stills below, giving them time to hide their operation before the law arrived. Nearly a century later, even the story behind its name leaves us with a little bit of a mystery.

At its peak in 1926 and 1927, Signal Hill wasn't simply a collection of shacks in an oil field. It was practically a town. Thompson opened a bank. There were four drugstores, a bakery, an icehouse, around a dozen filling stations, a welding shop, boiler shop, hardware store, three oil-supply houses, a meat market, movie house, hotels and rooming houses. But Signal Hill's booming business district had another side...

The camp became notorious for its beer joints, brothels, gambling dens and speakeasies, attracting some colorful and dangerous characters from across the Southwest. Among those reportedly known to frequent Signal Hill were Ray Terrell, Ace Pendleton, Matt Kimes, and bootlegging brothers Torrance and W.J. "Shine" Popejoy. Then there was Roy "Blackie" Wilson...

Wilson, identified in newspapers as a member of the notorious "Kimes gang", later testified in Oklahoma about the criminal element operating at Signal Hill. And he wasn't simply passing through. Wilson said he ran a bootleg joint and gambling house there. According to the same account, Matt Kimes operated another establishment, while Shine Popejoy had one of his own. Other suspected gang figures were reportedly connected to businesses throughout the camp.

Imagine Signal Hill on a Saturday night in 1926. Oil derricks puncturing the horizon. Trucks grinding down dirt roads. Roughnecks coming off shift with fresh money in their pockets. Hotels and rooming houses packed with newcomers. The movie house is showing a picture. Filling stations are doing business. Somewhere nearby, a poker game is underway. Behind another door, illegal liquor is flowing. And mixed among the oil workers, merchants and families trying to make a living are men wanted for crimes across the Southwest. One former resident summed up Signal Hill's reputation with a line that almost sounds too good to be true: The post office may have been the only place in town that didn't sell alcohol.

For all its lawlessness, there were reasons to believe Signal Hill might eventually become a legitimate, permanent community. Its very location was tied to a proposed railroad route. Later transportation plans also envisioned improved roads through the area. If those connections materialized, Signal Hill might have had a very different future. Instead, the law arrived. Following the first major cleanup of the Borger area by Texas Rangers in 1927, Signal Hill's gambling houses, speakeasies and other centers of vice began shutting down.

Without them, the population collapsed. The proposed railroad spur never came.
And in one of the most remarkable examples of just how quickly the Panhandle oil boom could create and destroy a community, Signal Hill was essentially abandoned within about a year. Think about that. A bank. A movie theater. Hotels. Drugstores. Filling stations. Oil businesses. Hundreds of people passing through.

Built, boomed and nearly gone in the span of a year. Today, the prairie has reclaimed almost all of it. But nearly 100 years ago, a short trip east of Stinnett could land you in a place where an oil-field worker might be standing beside a businessman, a bootlegger, a gambler... or one of the Southwest's most wanted men. And then, almost overnight, Signal Hill disappeared.

What stories did you hear about Signal Hill? If your family has photographs, maps, newspaper clippings or stories connected to the old settlement, share them with us! With a place this wild, there's bound to be more of the story still hiding out there. 👀

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday - Meryl and Beatrice “Betty” Barnett

Few couples have shaped Borger’s civic life as faithfully and consistently as Meryl and Beatrice “Betty” Barnett. For more than seven decades, their names were synonymous with service, leadership, and community devotion.

Meryl G. Barnett’s story began long before he arrived in Borger. As member of the National Guard and later the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division, he served from 1940 to 1945 during World War II. He fought in nine major European campaigns, participated in four beachhead landings, and earned the Bronze Star for his actions at Anzio. His division was also present during the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp—an experience that profoundly shaped his perspective on duty and freedom.

While stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, he met Beatrice Eleanor “Betty” Brown. They married on November 17, 1942, beginning a partnership that would last more than 70 years.

After the war, the Barnetts made Borger their home. Both found work in the area’s industrial backbone—facilities originally built by the U.S. Government during wartime and later operated by companies such as Phillips Petroleum and J.M. Huber. Meryl spent 40 years with Phillips Petroleum, retiring as a plant superintendent. Betty devoted nearly five decades to J.M. Huber and Engineered Carbon, demonstrating remarkable dedication and longevity in Borger’s chemical industry.

But their professional accomplishments tell only part of the story.
Meryl served 18 years on the Borger City Council, much of that time as Mayor Pro-Tem. He chaired the Hutchinson County Republican Party for 30 years and played active roles in the Rotary Club, North Plains Hospital Board, First Savings & Loan Board, and the Borger Chamber of Commerce—where he was named Ambassador of the Year. In 2016, he and Betty were both honored as Borger’s Citizens of the Year.

Betty’s civic involvement was equally notable. She participated in the Chamber of Commerce, was active in community and political organizations, including the Republican Women’s organization, and worked for the City of Borger until she was 100 years old - AFTER retiring from J.M. Huber.

Together, Meryl and Betty raised three children and built a legacy rooted in faith, patriotism, and public service.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday 9-11

Twenty-five years ago, September 11th began like any other Tuesday morning. Except, in a matter of minutes, everything changed.

At 8:46 a.m., the first plane struck the North Tower.
At 9:03 a.m., the South Tower was hit.
At 9:37 a.m., another plane struck the Pentagon.
And at 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 went down in a Pennsylvania field after passengers and crew fought back.

That morning, 2,977 people never made it home.

Among them were 343 firefighters who heard the call, climbed into their trucks, and ran toward something everyone else was running from.

This Friday, we hope you'll join us at Huber Park at 8:30 a.m. as we take a few moments together to remember them.

Afterward, drive down Cedar Street past the Borger Fire Station. You'll see 343 American flags, one for each firefighter lost that day to the initial
call, and a giant American flag raised high from our Tower Truck.

Twenty-five years later, we still remember where we were. We still remember the images. We still remember the helpers, the heroes, and the lives behind the numbers.

And we will never forget.

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

City of Borger

#throwbackthursday

John H. White arrived in Borger during the earliest days of the oil boom. Establishing his law office in Borger that same year, he became one of the town’s early professional figures. White’s work touched nearly every aspect of early civic life: land transactions, business agreements, disputes, estate matters, and the legal framework required to transform a boomtown into a functioning municipality. He was not only a practicing attorney but also an engaged civic participant. His name appears in early political records, and he later authored a published history of Borger, preserving the memory of those formative years while they were still fresh.

Later on, into this legacy was born Rosa Jane White on November 5, 1932, in Borger. Rosa graduated from Borger High School in 1950, representing the first generation to grow up entirely in the structured version of the town her father had helped stabilize. She pursued higher education, earning a degree from William Jewell College and later a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law, an achievement that was especially notable for a woman in the mid-20th century. After completing her legal education, Rosa returned home. She joined her father in practice, forming what became known as “White and White,” and later “White, White, and White” when her brother John White Jr. entered the firm. For more than fifty years, Rosa practiced law in the community, focusing primarily on tax and probate law.

But Rosa’s contributions extended well beyond her legal work. She became a driving force in preserving Borger’s history. In 1977, her and her brother John Jr. played a central role in establishing the Hutchinson County Museum, helping ensure that the artifacts, documents, and stories of the county’s early years would not be lost.

If John H. White helped Borger put down legal roots in its earliest days, his children helped the city remember where those roots began.

texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20204/m1/27…

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday | Russell Graham

Russell Craig Graham was a product of the Texas Panhandle whose life reflected perseverance and humility. Raised here in Borger, he developed an early love for football and a work ethic that would carry him far beyond his hometown. Those who knew him remember not only his imposing physical presence (a commanding 6-foot-4 frame and 260 pounds that would serve him well on the football field), but also his quiet determination and steady character.

Russell’s athletic gifts blossomed at Borger High School, where he first made his mark on the gridiron. After graduating, Graham earned the opportunity to play collegiate football at Oklahoma State University, a chance that would become one of the defining chapters of his life. At OSU, Russell lettered for four seasons as an offensive lineman, a role that demanded toughness, discipline, and teamwork.

Graham earned respect through persistence rather than hype. He was known among teammates and coaches as reliable and selfless, willing to do the unglamorous work required in the trenches. His experience at OSU reinforced lessons that would later define his coaching philosophy: effort matters, preparation matters, and no role is too small when the team depends on it.

Following his collegiate career, Graham briefly pursued professional football, playing with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League in 1983 and later signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After only two years with the Steelers, he suffered an injury. Although his professional career was short, it stood as a testament to how far dedication and resilience could carry a young man from Borger. 
He then returned to OSU to finish his degree.

After his playing days, Russell returned to Texas and found his calling in education and coaching. He coached at Park High School, Caprice High School, before landing in Panhandle.

For nine years he served as assistant football coach at Panhandle High School, where he became a mentor to young athletes, guiding them not just in sport but in life.

His influence extended far beyond the sidelines; he was known as a teacher, leader, and friend who took a personal interest in the success of his students.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday Judge John LaGrone

Judge John LaGrone grew up in Borger, attending elementary school, Austin Middle School, and Borger High School. It was at Borger High School where LaGrone helped lead the Bulldogs to an impressive 31-5 record, three district championships, and an appearance in the 1962 Class 4A State Championship game, where Borger fell just short against San Antonio Breckenridge, 30-26.

A standout on both sides of the ball, LaGrone earned two-time All-State honors as a defensive tackle and left tackle. Following graduation, he accepted a football scholarship to Southern Methodist University, where he continued to excel on the field and in the classroom. In 1968, LaGrone and the SMU Mustangs won the Southwest Conference and earned a trip to the Cotton Bowl.

LaGrone was recognized as an outstanding defensive player and earned All-American honors during his collegiate career. He also appeared on the cover of Texas Football magazine and was named an Academic All-American at SMU.

His football career continued professionally when he moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to play for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Over eight seasons, LaGrone established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, earning six Western All-Star selections and two CFL All-Star honors. In 1969, he was named the CFL’s Outstanding Lineman.

Even while playing professional football, LaGrone was preparing for the next chapter of his life. During the off-season, he attended Baylor University Law School and earned his law degree in 1972. That same year, on December 16, he married Jan Clark in Waco, Texas. LaGrone initially opened a law office in Athens, Texas, with a law school friend, but ultimately chose to return to professional football for two additional seasons before retiring in 1975.

Following his retirement from football, John and Jan returned to Borger and made his hometown their permanent home. LaGrone joined John Morrison’s law practice and went on to serve as an assistant Hutchinson County Attorney and later as County Attorney. In 1990, he was elected District Judge of the 316th District Court in Hutchinson County, a position he held for nearly 25 years.

LaGrone’s remarkable athletic career has earned recognition on both sides of the border. He was inducted into the Southern Methodist University Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, and the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2009, his name was added to the Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium Ring of Honor.

#100yearsofgrit #BorgerTX

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1 month ago | [YT] | 2

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday | Building Borger, One 2x4 at a time

For more than 75 years, Morton Lumber has been helping shape Borger, one project at a time.

The story began in 1950, when Frank Morton founded Morton Lumber. Following his passing in 1968, two longtime employees, Bill Carson and Bill Whitworth, purchased the business and continued its legacy. In 1972, Whitworth sold his share to Carson, who remained owner until 1981, when Robert and Marilyn Archer took the reins.
At the time, Morton Lumber operated from 211 N. Cedar Street, across from Borger High School. In 1997, the business relocated to South Cedar Street, where it remained for more than two decades before moving to its current home at 1404 W. Wilson in 2018.

What started as a business with just seven employees in 1981 has grown into a team of nearly 50 employees today, serving homeowners, contractors, and businesses throughout the region.

But the Archer family's impact extends far beyond lumber. As passionate supporters of Borger, they have continually invested in our community through multiple local businesses, job creation, civic involvement, and countless acts of generosity. Their commitment to Borger has helped strengthen not only our economy, but the fabric of our community itself.

Businesses like Morton Lumber remind us that Borger's story is written by families who believe in this community, invest in its future, and continue building something that lasts.

Do you remember the original Morton Lumber on North Cedar? 👀

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday | The Story of Gladys Walters

Long before online shopping and big-box stores, Borger's downtown boutiques were built on something far more personal: relationships. When Gladys Walters arrived in Borger in the early 1940s, she didn't own a business. She began her career in retail, learning that success wasn't measured by what you sold, but by how you treated people.

Her philosophy was simple:
"If you don't like meeting and getting along with people, retailing is not for you."

Those words, shared with Borger High School students during Career Day, reflected the way Gladys approached every customer.

After working at Dean's Department Store and later becoming the beloved bridal consultant at Bentley's Dress Shop, Gladys spent years helping brides find the perfect gown and becoming part of countless family milestones. Then, in 1966, she took a leap of faith.

Partnering with Juanita Weddington, she opened Gladys' Dress Shop at 518 N. Main Street. Although the storefront was new, Gladys herself was already a familiar and trusted face throughout Borger. The store wasn't named after a fashion label or a trend. It was named after Gladys. Because people weren't just shopping for clothes. They were shopping with someone they knew, trusted, and considered a friend.

Over the years, Gladys became much more than a business owner. She volunteered, supported civic organizations, hosted community events, and invested in the people who made Borger home. By the early 1970s, advertisements for Gladys' Dress Shop proudly featured the team behind the business: Gladys Walters, Juanita Weddington, Helen Watson, Verna Mae Webb, and Zonelle Myers, thanking the community for its continued support.

💙 Do you remember shopping at Gladys' Dress Shop? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments!

#100yearsofgrit

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

City of Borger

#ThrowbackThursday Black History in Borger

Borger's story wasn't built by a few people. It was built by generations of individuals from all walks of life. As we celebrate our Centennial, we're honoring the people whose contributions, though sometimes overlooked, helped create the community we know and love. Our community has come a long way in the last 100 years. While we celebrate the unity we share today, it's important to remember two things:
1) Our past wasn't always defined by inclusion.
2) Representation is important.

We'll start with telling you about Elle Henderson. The 1910 census recorded Elle as an 80 year old black servant living in the Alhambra Community (Southeastern Hutchinson County), who later died that same year. Records suggest she was the first black resident in Hutchinson County and the first black resident to be buried here as well. Elle likely came in December of 1900 with the Moore Family, who owned and operated a ranch.
hutchinsoncountymuseum.org/stories/

Then, just two years after Borger's founding, the 1928 scholastic census recorded five African American students representing two families living in the city. The 1928-1929 scholastic census recorded even more. This led to a need for a "colored" school. Census reports the following names:
Maudell Murphy (DOB 1/20/1916) Parent/Guardian: Almata Murphy
Zephaniah Wildcatt (DOB 4/12/1916) Parent/Guardian: Covell Wildcatt
Awagahs Wildcatt (DOB 7/27/1918)
Lemeul Wildcatt (DOB 3/14/1919)
Wyoming Wildcatt (DOB 10/11/1920)
Junior Gardnor (DOB 7/24/1920) Parent/Guardian: Fras Cies Crisp
Tiny May McCowan (DOB 7/12/1920) Parent/Guardian: Essie Mae McCowan
Julia Bird Perkins (DOB 3/7/1916) Parent/Guardian: Anna Boyd
Samma Lee Evans (DOB 8/20/1917) Parent/Guardian: Anna Boyd
Junius Carter (DOB 3/20/1914) Parent/Guardian: Lonnie Jackson
Tena Dickson (DOB 6/28/1915) Parent/Guardian: Genoa Dickson
James Dickson (DOB 7/31/1919) Parent/Guardian: Genoa Dickson

Though the Black community was small at this time, they were determined to build something lasting for future generations. The first classroom wasn't a school at all. It was Bethel Baptist Church, located on Borger's west side (has since been relocated). There, Mrs. Tallie Anderson Smith became the first teacher for Black children in Borger, teaching six grade levels in a single classroom. For nearly fifteen years, she educated students who otherwise had few educational opportunities during segregation. As the community grew, so did the need for a permanent school. In 1931, Borger Independent School District opened Booker T. Washington School in a one-room frame building at Brain and 11th Streets. Named after the renowned educator Booker T. Washington, the school quickly became much more than a place to learn. By 1936, the school served as many as 50 students, all still taught by a single teacher. Then, in 1946, two educators arrived who would forever change the school's future. R. G. Cofield became principal, while his wife, Maye Della (Honey) Cofield, joined the faculty as a teacher. (Re-read our prior throwback for their story)

Under their leadership:
The faculty expanded from two teachers to seven. A new brick school building was constructed. Former barracks from Pampa Army Airfield were relocated and converted into classrooms and a gymnasium. The school expanded to serve students through twelfth grade. (Keep in mind that in Texas during segregation, Black students were not necessarily limited by state law to a certain grade level HOWEVER, many school districts did not provide education beyond the elementary grades for segregated schools because of the cost.

In 1949, John L. Miles became the school's first graduate. Students proudly called themselves the Dragons and Dragonettes, building a reputation for excellence in basketball and other athletics. Long before integration, Booker T. Washington School gave students a place where they could compete, celebrate achievements, and create lifelong friendships.

After the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, public schools across the nation began the process of desegregation. Borger followed quickly. In the spring of 1956, the school board voted to integrate grades seven through twelve. Older Black students began attending Sam Houston Junior High and Borger High School, while Booker T. Washington continued as an elementary campus for a few more years. By 1964, the school officially closed its doors.

But Black History goes much further than just education... Think of all the entrepreneurs and business owners, like Etta White. She was building a business at a time when doing so as a Black woman required extraordinary resilience.

The realities of segregation meant Black owned businesses often operated separately from white owned establishments. City directories even identified Black-owned businesses with a "C" designation, marking them as "Colored-owned." While those labels reflected the inequalities of the era, they also reveal something else: despite those barriers, Black entrepreneurs established successful businesses that earned loyal customers across the community. White Way Bar-B-Q wasn't the only example. Borger's Black community supported churches, beauty shops, cafés, boarding houses, funeral services, and neighborhood businesses that became gathering places where families celebrated milestones, shared news, and strengthened community ties. Many of these establishments operated along or near the neighborhoods where Black residents lived because segregation limited where businesses could locate and where customers could freely gather.

These are all just a few of the many important stories... there are many more that haven't been told. Borger's history isn't complete without telling these stories... and we'd love to hear yours.

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2 months ago | [YT] | 1