A Brief History of Midland

“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.”

This article first appeared in The Junior League of Midland, Inc.'s monthly publication, "Tumbleweed." Read the entireissue here->