Region: Panhandle Plains
Cactus, on U.S. 287 and 13 miles north of Dumas, began as a company town to
produce ammunition for World War II. The Cactus Ordnance Works, one of the
largest plants in the country, was established as a government project by the
Chemical Construction Company in May 1942. After easing the need in the war, the
Shell Union Oil and Gas Corporation assumed control of the plant in early 1944.
It began manufacturing aviation gasoline. This arrangement lasted until August
1946, when the Emergency Export Corporation took over and reconverted the plant
to the production of ammonia, continuing production until Aug. 15, 1948, when
Phillips Chemical, a division of Phillips Petroleum Company, assumed
management.
Today, Swift and Company operates a modern processing beef facility in
Cactus, employing more than 2,300. The plant produces high quality grain-fed
beef products for restaurants, retailers, institutions and processors.
Each September the Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebration draws thousands of
visitors to Cactus.