I visited the Texas Panhandle towns of Borger, Skellytown, Pampa & White Deer. Afterwards, Nic & I had a late lunch at a unique Amarillo restaurant. Travel Vlog 261
Regarding White Deer's unusually high income stats, a lot of residents in these rural western Texas and Oklahoma towns enjoy a fairly steady stream of income from mineral rights (often inherited from parents, grandparents, and so on).
So they did nothing and get benefits because of their ancestors who took land from natives? The government should seize their assets and distribute to the community. - WW
They didn’t take it from the natives. The US Government took from the natives and gave it to them. And this govt is the same one you expect justice from now!?!?
@@WanderingWolf365такое перераспределение доходов возможно только при социализме и коммунизме. Когда есть частная собственность на землю, ресурсы, предприятия - ограбление закреплено законом
WOW! I was born in Borger ,Tx in 1964. My dad worked for Central airlines at the Borger airport but he got transferred to Lawton OK when I was two. of course I had family there {mainly grandparents} but they have all passed on and I haven't been back in twenty years or so. My Grandpa was a lone officer for the Panhandle bank and trust and my grandma was a teller there. Man it has changed since I last saw it. Thanks for reminding me of a former life that I haven't thought about in a long time
@@jeffclaterbaugh3962 I agree about trains. I love them. I live in a small texas town north of Austin. There’s a rail road track about two blocks away. I love it.
I lived and grew up in fritch, small town few miles west of borger. All you had were those 2 towns, if you had ti get something exclusive somewhere, you most likley had to for about an hour drive to Amarillo. I really enjoyed the big sky country there and how empty it was.
The history of Borger was fascinating. Who would have imagined unsavory folk in a boomtown? 😆 Your videos are undisputedly the best of the genre on You Tube. Thanks as always.
When the Texas Rangers went in to restore order to Borger, Captain Frank Hamer led the rangers. You may recognize Hamer's name, as he was the one who led the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde some years later.
My grandparents lived in Borger for decades. They would tell stories of the population boom and walking elbow to elbow downtown, even in the wee hours. I was always incredulous hearing those stories considering I often felt I was looking at a ghost town. Fun fact: in these sun-dried dying towns, take a closer look. You’ll notice the church is always the best kept property. It looks pristine while everything around it is a wreck.
In Texas, or anywhere for that matter, when religion takes a top spot in people's priorities, it can lead to a situation where individuals become economically disadvantaged due to the misplacement of their focus, resulting in the misallocation of time, money, and energy. The only ones who tend to prosper financially because of religion are those who offer religious services, rather than the individuals who practice their faith.
The poorest plays in rural chickens walking in the streets Mexico always had he most elaborate gold gilded churches- seems to be a universal observation.
@@2ndavenuesw481 usually a house or four pops up after water is found then the church and store comes in, maybe eventually they get a piece of infrastructure like a paved road system or train then a art deco/ mid century modern city utilities building (fire/police/hospital)
"Robbery, assault, murder..." Not a lot has changed then!? 😂 Another great video, really appreciate the time & effort the two of you have put into making these videos and for allowing thousands of people to see places many of is would never otherwise get to see. Thanks again, from Australia 🇦🇺
I have been following you for about three weeks. I found your videos interesting and educational in regards to other states their living conditions ,as well the home prices ect, thank you for all the information is useful .
Congratulations on the new Grand Cherokee! I got one as a rental a few months back. I believe it was the Limited or the Overland. Either way, it was an extremely nice suv. I’m guessing based on the miles you guys drive you probably have to get into something new about every two years. Glad that there wasn’t any down time between videos, but don’t burn yourselves out…..
A wonderful video, as always. These quiet towns have a very unique atmosphere, and I always find them so fascinating to drive through, and their history is always interesting, too. Congratulations on your new Grand Cherokee, very exciting !! The restaurant looked very relaxing, and the food looked delicious. Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, always enjoyable.😊💚
In the town of Borger, the way main street is broken up with trees and brick reminds me of Hendersonville, NC. They didn't want us dragging main street so they changed it from 4 lane to a zig-zag two lane with planters full of trees, bushes and flowers... It didn't slow us down from cruising up & down, good memories for sure.... Thanks Joe for sharing another interesting video of the Texas panhandle. Glad you got a new vehicle...
My dad was born in Skellytown ( 1933 ) along with one of his sisters and two of his first cousins. After visiting his sister in Ponca, Oklahoma, a few years back ( he has since passed away ) I took him to Skellytown on the way back to California. I didn't see one person in the town. This was about 2017.
505 5th St is for sale for $302,727. Its already sold per online. Those tacos look so good. Love the new Jeep, made here in Detroit where I am. Safe travels guys.
Joe and Nic formerly known as Lord and Lady Spoda have as a tour of the good old USA . As such we have discovered architecture , churches , county court houses , theaters , state captals , gas stations , Dollar General Stores, cats and dogs and cozy neighborhood bars and a little history .
Hi Joe! so glad to see you out and about. You seemed very tired after the last trip. Congrats on the nice new car. I hope you told Nicole how pretty she looked. Thanks for going to Borger. My husband was born in Borger in 1950 and this brought back memories of his grandma's house and all the great times being a kid there. God bless you guys. Pam
It’s amazing to tour the real and rural America with you guys. Too bad the Panhandle is so far from Austin, but I’m glad to have your RU-vid channel to explore it. Safe drive to New Mexico!
Sadly the little town of Turkey, Texas that I grew up in is also dying off, I finally got to return there a few weeks ago 60 years later from when I left in 1963 at the age of 11, it broke my heart to see how it's dying off but you either grow or you disappear in so many cases.
actually I was in there for a little while, maybe an hour or so, and I should chat with different people upstairs at the rooms and also downstairs. very pleasant time. much of the conversation was about the Paranormal and their ghost phenomena and all that stuff that's made to Hotel someone famous from that.@@deucepickle2091
I grew up all over that area. I went to 2nd - 3rd grade in Skellytown, 4th grade in the town of Panhandle, spent a short time in Borger; moved away and then spent middle and high school in Pampa and dated a girl in White Deer. Pampa High School was built in 1940 and is still in use as a High School today. As teens we would get bored and drive to White Deer and/Borger and drive up and down the drag. Back in the day, the "Drag" meant driving up and down main street. Very boring towns but very safe and peaceful.
My dad, one aunt and two of my dad's first cousins, were born in Skellytown. I was born in California but took my dad to Skellytown after visiting his sister in Ponca, Oklahoma. My dad was born there in 1933
I drove through these towns 5 years ago and had the most insane appreciation for how beautiful the old brick buildings were and they were abandoned! Just like everyone else I did not have the funds to move into the town and get it sparked up again.
@@panlam3366 weird comment, no need to diss city life. People like to live near each other, that's all. But I agree with you I hope these towns get to really experience liveliness again
I enjoyed your tour of the panhandle towns! So glad to see a video today! You are a great storyteller! I love the orange house in Pampa. The court house is gorgeous too. White Deer has a very interesting dynamic. Thank you for researching the town for us. A lot of people in this country are house poor as they say. I would think it would be nice they can afford to put their money into other things. Your food looked great!
I had family live in all those towns! Haven't heard of those towns in a LONG time. My mom met my father in Skellytown. She grew up in Pampa and White Deer. Never been to any of those towns so it is nice to see them. Thank you!
Love sitting next to you on these wonderful back roads and listening to all the interesting information you pass along. And the restaurant stops and food reviews are a nice tough. Thank You.
Hey Joe & Nic. You made my Tuesday. So happy to be back on the road with you guys. Thank you for all the stats you dig up..mighty interesting. I've always heard things are big in Texas..by the looks of those tacos..my goodness. One taco would feed me for 3 days. YUM!
I used to shuttle other drivers around the National/Enterprise lot at KCI. Had my pick of any vehicle. I always went with a Grand Cherokee. Most comfortable to drive, fit several people, tightest turning radius, etc. Good choice! 👍
Joe & Nic I love you road trips because when I was growing up my dad took me and my sisters all over America 🇺🇸 I thought it was just life but at the beginning of each school year when we discussed what we did last summer I found I was the only one who toured the nation and it was fun, interesting and educational with you guys I don’t have to sit in the back seat of a Buick Electra 225. Thank you Lord for Joe and Nic !!!!!!!!!
Had you went one town West of Bolger to Fritch, I've got a good friend from there. His family still lives there. Really enjoy watching your vids by the way. Especially the way you research and go into detail on each place you visit.
Nice way to start your next adventure Joe and Nicole. Something about the way you present the facts of the town, the driving around all the different neighborhoods that keep your attention. I completed my driving bucket list and traveled the states as well as a long time driving around Alaska. I can’t thank you and Nicole for taking on my next adventures. The house 505W 5th ave in White Deer is selling for $230.000 {pending). I can’t wrap my head around what the people make for a living in that town. Thanks for the videos, be well, be safe and good luck with your new ride.
This one hit different since I grew up in Pampa and now live in Amarillo. But sadly, there lots of small town in the panhandle that are drying up and blowing away. It's hard to believe Borger at one time had 40,000 Keep up the great work on the videos, you do a great job with them!
U guys rest up quick! I'm glad cuz ur vids r awesome and love all the stats on all the places u go! The jeep Cherokee is nice my pop had one. On the road again b safe out there.
These videos are invaluable in that they represent 'history', history of the past and of the future. I consider what Joe & Nic is doing a national treasure of events which will soon perish into lost memory. Thanks for doing such a great service to the people of the USA, those who can still recall the past.
Borger --"A hive of scum and villainy". Heh, I wonder how many towns have earned that moniker over the years? Probably quite a few 🙂 Cool to see their use of pump jacks as public art. I really like the unique architecture and signage in small towns--lots on display in this episode. So, you have a Grand Cherokee now...curious to see how you like it vs the Bronco. Speaking of cars, if you're a fan of classic automobiles Bill's Backyard Classics in Amarillo has a nice collection and is definitely worth checking out. Happy trails!
OZ/ Thanks U 2 !! Very good to see you again- great that YT throw your vids up in front of my face ! (who said algorithms are bad?) LOL ! Yeah, White Deer- interesting figures. I particularly love the residential sections- especially in those old 'fading' towns. Cheers CY
I found this channel today, and it's exactly the type of video I've always wanted - pure vibes with no background music. Please create more videos like this all across the country. Great job!
Maybe someone will comment with an answer about the high incomes in White Deer. My theory is most of the guys in town are working on some sort of big construction project (obviously not in town). The town is 55% male which is pretty high so might be some single men who moved there for the project (or married guys who are temporarily living there until project is over). When the Diamondbacks baseball stadium was being built I made friends with a welder who worked on the steel girders that supported the ballpark. He lived in the Phoenix area for a year or two during construction of the ballpark, made a lot of money, and relocated to the next project. I’m thinking this might be a similar situation. Maybe oil wells or a refinery?
There is a large highway construction contractor in White Deer that does work all over the country. That's one reason. Another is that there are large wind farms surrounding the town and the jobs that come with that also pay well. There are a couple of small companies that build specialized agricultural equipment that is shipped all over the world from there, and Clint and Sons Jerky company is there. They sell jerky all over the country. All together, those things gives White Deer some unique advantages other small towns don't have.
My grandfather worked as a roughneck in Borger in 1925. He, my grandmother and my dad & his sister lived in what was called tent town, dirt floors and all. It might have been a bit rough as they moved back to Mobeetie, TX which is a town with a whole another story.
Wow, what a stark contrast between the north and the south. Me? I prefer the south and sure do miss Louisiana. Excellent video and I loved the music in the restaurant. I was a young man when these first came out. 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻 as always, thank you Joe and Nicole ❤️
I drove OTR and our company forbid us to drive across Texas but if we had to we could only dive in the panhandle and we could not stop there so we had to be sure to have enough fuel in tank to get across the panhandle going E & W . There are these Trucker News papers that print stories about what towns to avoid and what towns are safe .Texas is a state that sees truck drivers as part of the tax base and the police are seen as corrupt in these small towns and this paper keeps data and our company paid attention so that none of us drivers would get in trouble just so they could make a buck. I just can`t remember the paper`s name.
I am a local in the Texas Panhandle and I believe your assessment is correct they see dollar signs when they see out of state rigs. Lots of dirty agencies in the smaller bedroom communities outside of the Amarillo areas. Be safe driving
As I just complimented the other USA geographical documentarian I sometimes watch, I'll do the same here. Ive been watching your videos the past year. As long as you've not stolen a part of my life, or been part of stealing, 'any part of my lie or others', these compliments shall stand. You present the most interesting historical picture of USA towns and states I've seen. The color commentary is entertaining as well. You keep things positive for your show. That's admirable. I can't do that considering I've been under attack for so many years, by so many interests, even my own family at times. But it's good you do in your show.. I'm surprised you haven't taken a break, but maybe you want to be sure your audience remains. As long as you've not stolen, or been part of stealing, any part of my life, or anyone else's, I hope you continue
Excellent channel. This video was loaded with great info you want when driving accross these towns. You are a natural my friend. Your attention to relevant information is great. beautiful wife you have. Congrats. Thanks for what you do. I really enjoy it.
Hi guys. House for sale info: $230,000. Built in 1980 - 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,758 square feet on a 7,013 sq ft lot. 2 car garage. Looks real nice inside, yard is well kept and has a fire pit, plus a raised play house for kids. Well maintained property from what I can see :)
WOOOOOOWW! You traded the Bronco in! I didn't even notice at first until you mentioned it! That Bronco did you proud, IMHO and I hope she goes to a good home. Somebody made a remark in one of your previous videos, maybe trying to be funny, that you wouldn't let Nicole drive the Bronco. Well, I'm glad you cleared that up! Good luck with the Grand Cherokee!!
Lots of mexican restaurants around here plus others in our area.This whole area between San Antonio and Austin keeps growing.Even towns like Marion had new houses.There are places like waelder, Westhoff, Cuero, Goliad, Dewville Garfield, Cheapside Cotton Patch etc.
Goliad Tx, a town with great meaning for many Mexicans, since the General Ignacio Zaragoza was born there. hero of the battle of Puebla on that May 5th...
I love your videos and have liked researching homes. It would be great if you could include commute to nearest city time on your intro for those looking to work and live rural. But I do appreciate your info. Thank you!
Isn’t it a shame that our towns are in such disrepair? Thank you for showing the truth of what this country has come to. It’s still very relaxing to hear your voice and watch your videos.
A main reason that the smaller towns are losing people is the fact that in earlier times they needed lots of workers to harvest the crops or deal with the livestock . Now days with these huge tractors and herding cattle with helicopters , all these workers are not needed , so the kids leave the town and move to the city to find jobs . Trust me , America is not dying .
@@gordonlandreth9550 - That's true. Also in other areas, the factory that people worked at or the mine shut down, thus people move away. No jobs to be had. Many of the areas are where old people are there to die. Usually the local hospital is booming because those old people need healthcare.
@@gordonlandreth9550 But there’s no excuse for the trash in some of these towns. And our government could put money towards these American towns before sending to other countries!
Your new auto is so much quieter than the other one. Just to let you know. But I really enjoy your videos. And I love it to it's like going on a journey without going anywhere. Thank you. Keep up the great videos coming.
That statue in White Deer has to be a plaintiff lawyer's dream come true. Set up in the middle of a large intersection with no signs or barricades. I'm shocked no one has hit it yet.
Quite a few of the small towns videod on this channel have prominent statuary or other structures at the very center of their main intersections. I'd be willing to bet that none of them has been the occasion for a serious personal injury accident.
Another great video. As an over the road truck driver, it's nice to leave the interstate and see these small towns on the back highways. I have actually picked up a load of carbon black from the plant on the left at 6:00. Grew up in Oklahoma but one of my close friends lived in Pampa for a few years so I've visted quite a bit.
As always, I found your video informative! My wife attended school in Pampa. Regarding Borger, what a history that place has! In 1927 Governor Daniel J. Moody sent in a detachment of Texas Rangers to restore order. Some successes occurred. However, the criminal element was deeply entrenched. Sporadic violence would still flare-up. District Attorney John A. Holmes was assassinated September 18, 1929 by parties unknown. The governor had had enough. Martial law was declared. A contingent of militia was dispatched from Fort Worth on a special train. Upon arrival, the "clean-up" commenced. Violence even claimed the life of A. P. (Ace) Borger, the town's namesake.
Family ranch in Gage, Oklahoma, travel thru Texas. Town after town like this .very peaceful . Watch out for Higgins ,TX PD! Especially with out of state plates
Going back 50 years ago the Urban Legend about the Texas cops was that a motorist with California plates would get cited for speeding if he wasn't exceeding the speed limit.
Enjoyable video the way you slowly cruise around. Makes me feel like I’m there. That house at 505 W 5th Ave was removed from the market. Trulia lists the value at $229,000