Which Tiny Panhandle Town Had First Phillips 66 In State Of Texas?

When you're driving down I-40, it's easy to not give a second thought to the tiny little towns that dot the landscape between here and wherever you're headed. Most of those little towns hold little more than some houses and a gas station or two. But sometimes, they are home to significant pieces of history.

For instance, do you know which tiny panhandle town holds Texas' first Phillips 66 Service Station?

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It All Started With Congress, And Route 66

According to local lore, once Congress agreed on the idea having a major highway running coast-to-coast in the U.S, a decision was made by an iconic company to finally set up shop in the Lone Star State.

That company is one we are all very, very familiar with. We recognize the logo from a mile away, and we all know the name. That company was Phillips Petroleum Company. We know it as Phillips 66.

Guess we know where the "66" came from.

Where Would You Put Your First Retail Location In Texas, Circa 1929?

Location is everything. McLean, Texas apparently seemed like a good fit. In fact, McLean at one point had a whole lot going for it.

It even tried at one point to take the county seat from Lefors, and might have if Pampa hadn't experienced an oil boom.

It was in 1929 with Route 66 coming through that Phillips put their first retail location in Texas in the bustling metropolis of, McLean.

Yes. Meclean had Texas' first Phillips 66. And it still stands to this day.

A Landmark Lovingly Kept Alive Today

The Phillips 66 in McLean is supposedly maintained by the Texas Route 66 Association nowadays. The building is still there along with an antique truck and the fuel pumps.

There's a lot of history that has been kept alive in McLean. If you're ever in that neck of the woods, it's worth taking a small detour off I-40 and taking a look around.