Shamrock Texas - Attractions

Shamrock, Texas - Page 2

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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.

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.

The 1928 Lela School still stands, Kathy Weiser, September, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

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.

Return to Texas Route 66

See the Texas 66 Gallery of Pictures

Book your lodging in Shamrock, Texas right HERE online

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

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

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