Thrift

(Ghost Townsite, 1.25 miles north) "Newtown", or "Thrift", originated about 1919 in the northwestern extension of the Burkburnett Oil Field. Early in its existence it gained prestige by the founding of a bank--the only one in the area at that time. Mostly a tent city, Thrift suffered many fires. One of these, started by lightning striking an oil tank in 1920, caused two deaths and wiped out much of the town. Thrift's Post Office opened in 1925. After the population shrank to 30 in 1929, the bank, a church, school, and store served people living at oil field pump stations; but all of Thrift's buildings are now gone. (1977, 2002)

Thrift is a historical marker in Burkburnett vicinity, Wichita County, dedicated in 1977. It is one of 75 historical markers documented in Wichita County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 94 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 34.0964, -98.6301 near Burkburnett vicinity. The nearest cataloged historic site is Northwest Extension Oilfield (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Burnett Horse Ranch, Bridgetown, and Journey's End Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5485005483. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.