By Mary Adams After the coal mines and brick plan closed and a fire destroyed much of the downtown, the Texas and Pacific Coal Company had a decision to make, to rebuild or to close the town. They chose to close and salvage every piece they could. They sold houses...
By Scarlet Webber The people who called Thurber home did not just disappear once Thurber became a ghost town. There are many records of people who continued their stories after their time in Thurber, and their stories are continued to be told through their family. One such person was Fred...
By Shala Scarlato Fraternal Organizations were the backbone of much of American society both after the Civil War and before World War I. Fraternal organizations have been clouded in rumors of “magic” and “mystery” for as long as they have been around. Yet, the truth is that the organizations supported...
By Shala Scarlato Thurber was no stranger to labor strikes and unions. Many miners joined so they could fight for better pay and shorter work days. While Thurber was at its strongest, the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) was busy trying to convince adults that children needed to be covered...
By Mary Adams Texas recognized Labor Day on the first Monday of September in 1863. A year later, the federal government made Labor Day a federal holiday on par with Independence Day. The question is, did Thurber embrace Labor Day with the same vigor as they celebrated Independence Day? Mary...
One of the first things an intern must do when starting at the W. K. Gordon Center is research. While materials are provided, it is up to us to learn about Thurber. This helps us understand the town and prepares us to answer questions guests might have. It also brings...
By Mary Adams The last Fourth of July celebration in Thurber occurred in 1937 after the town closed. According to an article printed in the Palo Pinto County Star in April of that year, plans were underway for a Jubilee Celebration in honor of W. K. Gordon on July 4th....
By Shala Scarlato James Rollins Bingham was a hardworking, published author that found a life in Thurber, Texas. The weigh master of the No. 6 mine found a place to stay with the Yie family who ran a small boarding house. He started in Thurber as a rock breaker but...
By Scarlet Weber Classics are considered classics for a reason, and tops are no exception. Tops have been around for thousands of years, going through waves of popularity throughout human history. In Thurber these could be purchased at the store or whittled by hand from wood. While traditional tops may...
By Shala Scarlato The Knox Hotel had a grand opening on June 3rd, 1894, to a large crowd of boarders and curious townsfolk. Mrs. Sarah Putnam and her assistant welcomed both with a grand feast. While this was the proper opening, research points to a softer opening sometime in May...