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- Progress
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- In 1913, the I.O.O.F.
bought a plot of land from Mr. Sam Merrill for a cemetery. Mr.
E.S. Stanfield, who died that year, was the first person to be
buried in this well-kept cemetery, which today is the burial
place for many old timers as well as newcomers. Many of the pioneers
are buried in the Strip Cemetery east of town.
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- Young men of the community
served their country in World War I. Three of them gave their
lives: Joseph J. Barton, George Fitzgerald, and Tom Turner.
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- With the passing of the
next few years, automobiles grew in number. The main road from
Amarillo to Lubbock came through Abernathy. A concrete highway,
one car wide, was layed through the town in 1930. It was widened
by six feet in 1941, to accommodate two cars. In 1948, asphalt
was put on top of the concrete to help smooth it. This road was
widened to a three lane from Abernathy to Lubbock in 1949. A
divided highway and a new route through town was opened in 1962.
Plans for Highway 87 becoming part of the Interstate system were
made. Construction was begun in 1977 and completed through Abernathy
in 1981.
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- West Texas Gas Company
layed a pipeline for natural gas through Abernathy in 1927. This
enabled the residents to have cheaper and cleaner fuel. With
the growth of the area and more demand for natural gas, a larger
line was layed through here in 1947.
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- The Depression and the
Dust Bowl of the '30's were hard times for the farmers. Therefore,
the town's people had hard times, too, because their business
depended so much on the agriculture of the area. Determination
helped get the residents through these hard times.
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- A public water system
was made available for the townspeople in 1934. The water tower
on the City Square holds 50,000 gallons and is 135 feet tall.
Improvements and extensions have been made in the following years.
More water wells have been drilled for the city's water use.
Another water tower was erected in the northwest corner of the
town in 1979 and has a capacity of 200,000 gallons.
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- Starting in 1938, and
for a number of years following, the merchants sponsored a free
show on Saturday afternoon for the people shopping in Abernathy.
Therefore, Saturday became a shopping day and a visiting day
for many people of the area.
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- Just as everyone was recovering
from the '30's and their problems, World War II began. Men, ages
21 to 35 were asked to sign up for the National Defense Program
in October, 1940. Later the age was from 18 to 45. Many area
residents served their country. World War II claimed the lives
of thirteen Abernathy area residents: Wilbur Robison, V.L. Hall,
Thomas Hood, James Brown, Charles Griffith, L.J. Land, Glenn
Brown, Hiram Watts, Martin Collier, Dalton Teague, Gene Young,
Ben Wood, and Cleo Turner.
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- Rationing of fuel began
in November 1942. There was also rationing of sugar, processed
food, milk, and other hard-to-get items. There were drives for
scrap iron, paper, and other items that could be recycled for
the war effort. There seemed to be a shortage of everything.
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- The veterans were honored
with a Homecoming Celebration, August 13, 1946. There were softball
games, a parade, free Bar-B-Q, and Folk and Square dancing on
First Street.
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- Paving of city streets
and laying of curbs was done in the Downtown area first. Today,
most of the residential sections are paved.
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- A sewer system was installed
in 1949 and now serves the entire city.
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- Progressive people in
a progressive town do not let things go undone. The need for
a City Hall was met with a new building on the City Square in
1954. This building served as a meeting place for small groups
and houses the city offices. The Fire Hall and the City Library
were connected to the building.
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- Again our men were called
to serve their country. This time there was war in Korea.
- The Lubbock Soap Box Derby
was a favorite contest for many of the local boys in the 1950's
and 1960's. Some of them earned trips to the National Soap Box
Derby.
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- Abernathy Country Club
was organized in 1959. A nine-hole golf course and swimming pool
were constructed on the southwest corner of the airport section.
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- A vaccine for the dreaded
disease, Infantile Paralysis (Polio), was discovered. The citizens
were encouraged to take the oral vaccine in 1962.
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- Our country was involved
in war again. This time the site was Vietnam. Again, men of our
community responded to serve their nation.
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- When the United States
celebrated its two hundredth birthday, Abernathy was named a
Bicentennial City.
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- The need for a large building
to have banquets, large meetings, and other activities was brought
to the attention of the citizens. A Community Center was added
to the City Hall in 1980.
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