Bridwell Park

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about Bridwell Park, right here in Archer County. Now, some folks leave a mark on a place. Joseph Sterling Bridwell left a park.

Born in Missouri in 1885, he made his way to Texas in 1909, and Texas, it seems, suited him just fine. He drilled his first well in 1921, out on the W. T.

Waggoner estate. Six years later, in 1927, he formed Bridwell Oil Co. Fifty million barrels of petroleum.

That's what that company ultimately produced. Fifty million. Let that number roll around a bit while we keep going.

In 1932, Bridwell bought a local ranch, headquarters sitting five miles to the northwest, and on that land he bred a famous herd sire by the name of Larry Domino, along with other fine Herefords. The man had range. He wasn't just an oilman and a rancher, either.

He was a founder of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce, and by 1940 he was serving as its president. And here's the one that makes you stop: Bridwell gave the nation the site for Sheppard Air Force Base. Gave it.

He and his wife had two daughters, and when it was all said and done, this conservationist and philanthropist donated this very park to his countrymen. Joseph Sterling Bridwell passed in 1966, but you're sitting in his gift right now.

What the marker says

Donated to his countrymen by conservationist-philanthropist Joseph Sterling Bridwell (1885-1966), Missourian who moved to Texas in 1909. Drilling his first well in 1921 on W. T. Waggoner estate, in 1927 he formed Bridwell Oil Co., which ultimately produced 50 million barrels of petroleum. In 1932 he bought local ranch (with headquarters 5 mi. to NW), where he bred famous herd sire Larry Domino and other fine Herefords. A founder and president (1940), West Texas Chamber of Commerce, Bridwell gave nation the site for Sheppard Air Force Base. He and wife had 2 daughters. (1972)