THE SIVELLS BEND OIL FIELD

In 1944, discovery of oil in the #1 Rasure, land that belonged to Holman Gibson, began a flurry of work and activity. Fred Snuggs and the Texas Oil Company began developing the Sivells Bend field, which would become the second largest field in Cooke County. By 1952, there were 58 producing wells. Later fields were brought in for Warrens Bend and in the early 80’s, in the Sivells Bend Bottom.

The Standard of Texas Gas Plant was built in 1949, producing propane and butane and gasoline from the natural gas produced in the field. The natural gas was piped to the Lane Star Gas line. The plant began operation June 4, 1949. Mr. Jack Gore was superintendent, followed by W.J. Palk. Several families moved to Sivells Bend as pumpers for the several companies and to work at the plant. Some were, O.B. Franks, John Morris, Joe Ledgerwood, Glen Covington, F.W. Galubenski, M.K. Catner and others, including Oscar Sutton and Delbert Harrell.

The gas plant is no longer in operation. The oil production is supervised by Chevron, formerly ARCO that acquired the Standard operation.

By 1950, the war years behind, the farming and ranching business was accelerated with new equipment and farming methods, improving grasses and grazing land and breeds of cattle.

In 1951, the Sivells Bend community organized a Community Improvement Club and worked in connection with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Farmer’s Stockman Magazine, later with the Texas Power and Light Co. and Cooke County Electric Co. to achieve many goals.

The REA had brought electricity to this community in 1948.

In 1953 the school plant and teacherage was renovated.

The Farm to Market Road 1201 was built into the community in 1955.

In 1956-57, Southwestern Bell Telephone service was extended to the Sivells Bend-Warrens Bend area.