Calliham
Calliham, McMullen County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1918 had a post office, Guffeyola, in store of H.H. McGuffey. After oil and gas discoveries, 1917-1922, was tent city, then town of shotgun houses. Piped first natural gas to San Antonio. Name was changed 1923 to honor J.T. Calliham, rancher and townsite owner. Still produces oil and exports fine rocks and petrified wood.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This McMullen County community started as Guffeyola, a 1918 post office in H. H. McGuffey's store, then exploded after oil and gas strikes between 1917 and 1922 — first a tent city, then a town of shotgun houses. It piped the first natural gas to San Antonio and was renamed in 1923 to honor rancher and townsite owner J. T. Calliham. It still produces oil and ships fine rocks and petrified wood.
Why it matters
Calliham captures the boom-and-bust drama of the early-twentieth-century South Texas oil and gas rush that helped power cities like San Antonio.
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Related people
- · J. T. Calliham
- · H. H. McGuffey
Related events
- · South Texas oil and gas boom
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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