“Midland is the kind of place where you can show up with
nothing, work hard, have a dream, and end up making something of
yourself.” George W. Bush
Under the bright West Texas stars and blazing orange
sunsets, Midland is home to more than 120,000 residents. Midland has seen its
share of booms and busts, but what makes Midland so unique aside from its
whirlwind history in the oil and gas business is the generosity of its people
and their support for the community. Local Midland author Jimmy Patterson said
it best in his new book, A History of Character: The Story of Midland Texas,
“Midland is not perfect; no city could claim to be. We have had our struggles
and triumphs, our booms and our busts. Often our generous nature has shone
clear and inspiring; other times we have regretted our actions and tried to
make good on mistakes. But on the whole, Midland is a city of Character.”
How Midland Got its Name
Midland was first home to the Commanche Indians who roamed
the great plains of West Texas until it was officially recognized in 1881 by
the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Known as being the halfway mark between Fort
Worth and El Paso, Midland was originally named “Midway”. This name quickly changed
to Midland in 1884 after eight other Texas communities claimed Midway as their
name. It is hard to believe that in 1884 Midland was home to only two residents
until the appearance of oil and gas in the region drew in residents by the
thousands from all over the country.
Discovery of Oil in the
Permian Basin
In the early 1900’s ranching and agriculture dominated the
Midland economy with both sheep and cattle far outnumbering its people. This
changed almost overnight in 1923 when oil was discovered by the acclaimed Santa
Rita well. “No other event has had [such a] lasting effect on the economy of
Midland as the discovery of the rich oil and gas deposits throughout the
Permian Basin.” said Judge Hyde. “When the Santa Rita well blew in… the economy
of the Permian Basin changed forever.”
Wildcatters from across the country came to Midland in large
numbers in search of oil. In 1945 Humble Oil and Refining Co. discovered the
Sprayberry Trend in Midland County, which changed life for many Midlanders.
“Standing alone, the Sprayberry in and of itself, is a singularly significant
event in the history of West Texas, particularly Midland,” states Author Jimmy
Patterson. After the discovery of the Sprayberry over 215 oil companies
established offices in Midland, and the town's population was estimated at
21,700 people. By 1960 the population nearly tripled to 62,625 people.This
extreme growth led to the construction twelve elementary schools, three junior
highs, a new high school and fourteen other school buildings to accommodate the
growing population. What was once a quiet, one-horse ranching town had
transformed into a bustling city full of economic prosperity and a bright
future.
Midland: Home to the
Fanciest Hotel in Texas
An integral part of Midland’s history is due in large part
to the Scharbauer Hotel. As Judge Hyde described in Jimmy Patterson’s A
History of Character: The Story of Midland Texas, “it would be impossible
to discuss Midland’s history without including the role of the Scharbauer Hotel
and the family responsible for it.” The Scharbauer family was one of the most
successful cattle-ranching families in West Texas, and in 1927 Clarence
Scharbauer built the Scharbauer Hotel from his ranching proceeds.
The Scharbauer Hotel was once one of the finest hotels in
Texas. It was a community landmark that hosted oil-industry professionals and
businessmen across the world. It featured 150 rooms at its opening to
accommodate the increasing oil activity in the Permian Basin and was known by
visitors as the busiest hotel lobby in the country with decorations rivaling
those of other big city hotels. “Every major deal that was ever made in Midland
was probably made in the Scharbauer Hotel. It was the place to make deals,”
stated Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Sadly, the 350-room hotel became economically
unfeasible with wavering oil and gas prices, and in October of 1973, the
legendary hotel was torn down.Today the Double Tree Hotel operates in the same
location where the Scharbauer Hotel once stood.
Additional Historical
Events that Put Midland on the Map
Although oil and gas is what originally gave Midland its
fame, other events in this small West Texas town have given Midland National
attention.
1987:
Alysheba, a race horse owned by the Scharbauer family wins the 1987 Kentucky
Derby. Alysheba’s prestigious win in 1987 made Midland the only town to host to two Kentucky Horse
Derby winners. Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. and family owned 1959 Kentucky Derby
winner, Tommy Lee, and 1987 winner, Alysheba.
1987: Baby
Jessica is rescued! On October 14, 1987 eighteen-month Jessica McClure fell
into an abandoned well and became “America’s Sweetheart” as Americans watched
the 24-hour news coverage of her rescue. Oprah Winfrey came to town weeks after
her rescue to tape a show featuring the family, rescuers and America’s sweet
“Baby Jessica”.
1989: Former
Midland resident, George Herbert Walker Bush, becomes the 41st President of the
United States of America and served in the White House from 1989 to 1993.
2001:
George Walker Bush, son of former President George Bush, Sr., is elected
President and makes a stop in Midland to deliver a speech before heading to
Washington. The President states in his speech that he and his wife Laura,
another local Midlander, still consider Midland home.
2014: The FAA approves
the Midland International Airport to become the first certified commercial
spaceport. It is now known as Midland International Air and Space Port.
Midland Today
Nearly 100 years since the first discovery of oil in West
Texas in 1923, Midland is still a town heavily influenced by the oil and gas
industry. Mimicking the great oil discoveries in 1923 and 1945, the
introduction of hydraulic fracturing in West Texas in the last decade has
brought unforeseen levels of economic prosperity to Midland residents. From
2011 to 2014 the Midland population increased more than 25% in just three
years, and in June 2012 Forbes magazine
listed Midland as one of the best cities in which to find work.
As Midlanders know well, these countless up cycles are
always followed by down cycles. However, Midlands continued effort to fight on
and return to a prosperous and thriving community is what sets it apart from
other communities in the state of Texas.The oil and gas industry has helped
Midland to become the town it is today, but as most Midlanders agree, it really
is the character of the people that makes Midland so special.
- Claire Statton, Tumbleweed Reporter
Editor’s Note:
The information included in this article is
due in large part to Jimmy Patterson’s book, A History of Character: The
Story of Midland, Texas. His book includes countless never before heard
stories about Midland and the people who made it such a wonderful place to
live. I would like to extend a big thank you to Mr. Patterson for his research
on Midland’s history and for his contribution to this article. When asked about
his opinion on the future of Midland and the effects of the oil and gas
industry on its residents, Mr. Patterson replied that “Midland’s future will be
determined by the quality of its people. If we continue to have high quality
people move to town and join the high quality people already here, I think we
will be able to thrive and survive just as we have in the past. The people of
Midland have always had the vision and creativity to keep Midland’s legacy
alive, and we must remember that moving forward.”
1. Best friends help you hide the body.
