Thurber
State: Texas
County: Erath County
Founded: 1888
Peak Population: 8,000-10,000
Thurber was Texas's quintessential company town—Texas & Pacific Coal controlled everything. At peak, 10,000 people from 18 nationalities lived here. It was the only 100% union town in America. When railroads switched to oil, the company found oil at Ranger (1917), becoming Texas Pacific Oil.
Quick Facts
- Only 100% union (closed-shop) city in America
- One of the first fully electrified cities in Texas
- 18 different ethnic groups lived here
- Thurber bricks paved streets in Austin and the Galveston seawall
Location
Address: Thurber, Erath County, Texas
Coordinates: 32.5094, -98.4206