Region: Panhandle Plains
Named after cattle baron W.T. Waggoner's daughter, this city is in the
western edge of Wichita County. The Waggoners were pioneers in the area when
they established their cattle headquarters here in 1878. Briefly known as
Waggoner, the town's name was changed to Beaver (for nearby Beaver Creek) when
the railroad station and post office were established. In 1902, it was renamed
in honor of Electra Waggoner. The town site opened in October 1907. In 1911, an
oil company leased a tract of land from W.T., and the famous North Texas Oil
boom began as fortune seekers came to stake their claims.
Electra was named the "Pump Jack Capital of Texas" by the Texas Legislature
in 2001. The gusher of the Clayco No. 1 well, just north of town, in 1911 opened
oil fields in the area, which, today still support 5,000 pumping units within a
10-mile radius of town.
Annual festivals include the Pump Jack Chili Cook-off (first Saturday in
April) celebrating Electra's oil heritage. Other festivals include the Electra
Goat Barbecue on Mother's Day weekend and the Holiday of Lights Christmas Parade
the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving Day.
RV hookups are available at the Fairgrounds on East Cleveland. 940/495-2131,
940/495-3832. www.cityofelectra.com.
Electra was designated a Texas Main Street City in 1998 and has been named a
National Main Street community annually since 2000. In 2004, it was named a
"Preserve America" community, a White House initiative to recognize efforts to
preserve and share our cultural and natural heritage.