Boomtowns

Discussion in 'History & Geography' started by Nancy Hart, Oct 14, 2018.

  1. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    While looking at a lot of old west saloon pictures in another thread, I noticed many of the pictures came from what they call boomtowns.

    "A boomtown is a community that undergoes sudden and rapid population and economic growth, usually one started from scratch. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although the term can also be applied to communities growing very rapidly for different reasons, such as a proximity to a major metropolitan area, huge construction project, or attractive climate."

     
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  2. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    In September 1918, Tom Dees, director of the Hog Creek Oil Company, struck oil on land owned by Joe Duke, and Desdemona, Texas, quickly joined the list of western boomtowns. As many as sixteen thousand flocked to Desdemona between 1919 and 1922.

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    In 1976, ninety wells were still producing oil or natural gas in the Desdemona field, and a Mobil plant was producing butane. In 2000, the Desdemona population was reported as 180. As of 2013 three businesses remain in the town.
     
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    Last edited: Oct 14, 2018
  3. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
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  4. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    Deadwood, South Dakota, late 1870's

    "The discovery of gold in the southern Black Hills in 1874 set off one of the great gold rushes in America. Practically overnight, the tiny gold camp of Deadwood boomed into a town, with a peak (census) population of 3777 in 1880".

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    Deadwood survived three major fires, and other economic hardships, pushing it to the verge of becoming another Old West ghost town, but in 1989 limited-wage gambling was legalized and Deadwood was reborn as a popular tourist town. (2010 population: 1270)
     
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  5. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Nancy Hart Was "Boom Town" the one in which Clark Gable is killed, and Tracy ambles over to the closed casket and mutters, "Well, old friend, you finally made it!" ?
     
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  6. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    No, I think Boom Town has a happy ending, except Clark Gable gets the girl (Claudette Colbert). After many ups and downs, the three become friends again and start over.
     
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  7. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
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    1970's Texas boomtown oil tank homes.
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    Creede, Colorado

    I believe Creede, Colorado, might be the most interesting boomtown in the Old West, just based on all the information, stories, and photographs available. Wouldn't know where to start.

    "Creede, was probably the wildest mining town in Colorado during its heyday. It lasted only three years. Nicholas Creede discovered silver in 1889, and in just one year it became a boom town. The population increased by 300 a day, growing to more than 10,000 until 1893 when the silver prices dropped drastically."

    Creede's population in 2017 was estimated at 312, increasing during the summer months.

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    There Is No Night in Creede
    by Cy Warman

    Here's a land where all are equal
    Of high or lowly birth
    A land where men make millions
    Dug from the dreary earth

    Here meek and mild eyed burros
    On mineral mountains feed
    It's day all day in the day-time
    And there is no night in Creede

    The cliffs are solid silver
    With wondrous wealth untold
    And the beds of running rivers
    Are lined with purest gold

    While the world is filled with sorrow
    And hearts must break and bleed
    It's day all day in the day-time
    And there is no night in Creede





     
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  9. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    A couple more pictures of Creede. This one taken before the boom.

    earlycreede.JPG

    Part of Creede after the fire of 1892.

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
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    It looks like an awful place to wake up with a toothache!
     
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  11. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    Barbers were often dentists. They already had a chair. :D

    Or just ask a couple of friends to help.

    [​IMG]
     
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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2018
  12. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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    Boomtown rats sign up...…
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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  14. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    Rex Trailer's Boomtown - TV series, 1956-1974

    I missed this one.:( ..A live three-hour weekend morning broadcast, out of Boston.

     
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  15. Tex Dennis

    Tex Dennis Veteran Member
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    Nancy your great with these topics I am glued to them!
     
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