Shamrock Texas - Attractions

Shamrock, Texas - Texas Main Street City

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On the way to McLean, the Rattle Snakes Exit Sign stood for decades near the Lela Exit in a pasture on the north side of I-40. However, in the Spring of 2007, high winds blew the Route 66 landmark

down.

Rattlesnakes sign between Shamrock and McLean,

Texas, May, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

The Rattle Snake sign today, Kathy Weiser, September, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

The sign once advertised the exit for the Regal Reptile Ranch that was operated by Mike Allred, a carnival-like operator who once displayed snake attractions all along Route 66, in Elk City and Erick, Oklahoma, and Alanreed, Texas. The last and final "Reptile Ranch" was located in a service station at the Lela Exit. The station building was moved to McLean and now serves as part of the Red River Steakhouse. The old pumps; however, can still be seen peeking from the high grasses near the fallen sign.

Longtime Route 66 supporters are currently seeing what can be done about salvaging the sign.

Continuing on the north frontage road will bring you into Lela, Texas, once a thriving railroad town, now diminished to little more than a ghost town.

Lela, Texas

Established in 1902, Lela was originally called Story and served as a station on the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway. By the following year, the small settlement sported a school and a weekly newspaper called the Wheeler County Texan. That same year, it also gained a post office, as well as a postmaster, who changed the town's name to Lela after his wife's sister.

Although the community was founded because of its abundance of good underground water, it did not keep pace with Shamrock some five miles to the east and by by 1920 many of the residents and businesses had moved to the larger town.

The 1928 Lela School still stands, Kathy Weiser,

September, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

At about the same Long Dry Creek flooded and the town moved up the hill about ½ mile from its original site. The discovery and production of natural gas brought renewed prosperity to this farming and cattle region in the 1920s and the community once again, began to grow.

In 1927 the Lela School burned down and before long, construction began on a new brick school building that would be large enough to accommodate all grades for the increased population. However, from the 1930s on, Lela's high school students attended school in Shamrock.

Another boost to Lela came from the establishment of Route 66, and soon the town sported a couple of combination gas station/general stores. But, it wouldn't be enough. By 1947 Lela only had a population of fifty people, an elementary school, a church, and four businesses.

In 1992, the Lela School district closed and was annexed with Shamrock's. In the 1970's Lela's post office closed.

Today, the town has no open business but a number of residences continue to stand, many of which are abandoned and in disrepair. The Lela School still stands, fronted by a Texas Historical Marker as well as an old church.

Continue your journey to McLean.

A Lela Church still stands, Kathy Weiser, September, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

AREA SITES AND ATTRACTIONS

Blarney Stone - In 1959, a little piece of rock was removed from the ruins of Blarney Castle in Ireland in given to the town of Shamrock. They encased it in a 'indestructible' concrete cylinder, painted it green (of course) and hoped for an influx of Irish and Irish would-be visitors. From I-40 take exit 163. If you are eastbound, turn right; if westbound, turn left. Follow US-83 (Main Street) to Railroad Avenue (on the near side of the tracks) and turn left. Go 3 blocks and Elmore Park and their encased Blarney Stone will be on your left.

Lela School - Marked by a Texas historic marker, this 1928 school has been preserved in Lela, Texas.

Pioneer West Museum -- Housed in the former Reynolds Hotel, typical drummers' hotel of 1920s and 30s, museum fills some 20 rooms with fascinating variety of exhibits from Plains Indian culture to NASA moon-mission articles. Emphasis is on regional history, cowboys, farm and ranch artifacts, pioneer weapons. Room settings include vintage doctor and dentist offices, general store, schoolroom, pioneer kitchen. 204 N. Madden St, Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - noon, 1 - 3 p.m., 806-256-3941.

Tower Station and U-Drop Inn - Sporting two distinct Deco-inspired towers, the former fueling station/restaurant was designed by John Nunn in 1936, reportedly by first drawing the design in the dirt with a nail. The place went out of business a number of years ago, but has been restored and now houses the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce. The Tower Station is located at the corner of Route 66 and Highway 83.

Tower Station and U-Drop Inn, Kathy Weiser,

September, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Return to Texas Route 66

See the Texas 66 Gallery of Pictures

Book your lodging in Shamrock, Texas right HERE online

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To McLean

Return to Route 66

About Texas 66

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Four 66 Tin Signs - Set of four Old Route 66 weathered style signs. Measuring 10"x16", made of heavy gauge metal, signs have rolled edges for safe handling. Includes: Main Street USA - Chicago to L.A., Eat here and get gas - Alice's Eatery & Service Station, America's Highway, and U.S. Route 66.