Historical Marker
Kilgore
Historical marker location:
Kilgore, Texas
( US 259 at Kilgore St. (in traffic triangle))
Marker installed: 1965
"Oil City of the World"
Founded 1872 with coming of the I.G.N. Railroad. Named for site donor, a Confederate colonel, Constantine B. Kilgore, State Senator and U. S. Congressman.
Geographical center of huge East Texas oil field. World's greatest concentration of steel derricks. Petroleum production, service, supply, processing hub.
Commercial, industrial, farm, education and medical center.
Home of Kilgore College and its famous "Rangerettes", women's precision drill team; and of Van Cliburn, international concert pianist.