www.perryton.org 1
Strategically located on US Hwy. 83 Central North American Energy Corridor Exceptional Education Opportunities | Low Crime Rate Frank Phillips College Allen Campus | Regional Trade Center Affordable Cost of Living | Recreational Opportunities Wolf Creek Park & Lake Fryer | Wide Open Spaces Room for Growth | Outstanding Health Care Systems
P (806) 435-4014 | F (806) 435-2490 P.O. Box 849 | 110 S. Ash | Perryton, TX 79070
shardy@perryton.net | www.perrytoncdc.com
CommunityLink.com
1 800-455-5600
production production manager MATT PRICE director of publication design Amanda White managing editor Laura Wilcoxen copywriting Jennifer Bull Laura Wilcoxen Nathan Wilcoxen proofreader Christina Reese director of photography Lisa LEHR photography Terry Estes cover photo VICHIE MATHEWS-WWW.SXC.HU lead design Kelly Friederich web site creation & support JOSH CHANDLER director of media purchasing DIANA VAUGHN
business development
director of business development director of sales regional director of publications business development manager marketing consultant customer service director customer service representative
George Prudhomme debbie moss Sean Corrigan Bonnie Ebers Chris Rogers kathy Risley Zachariah Phillips
Table of Contents Welcome When You Choose Perryton, Texas, You Choose It All.............................................4
Location & Community Profile Notes to Know on Your New Home............................................ 5
advertising director of ad development ad research ad traffic ad design
kacey wolters Mary kopshever Amy SchwartzkoPf Carol Smith JOSh Mueller
Government Committed to Service.................................................................... 7
information technology
publishing systems specialist
christopher miller
executive leadership
chairman and founder chief financial officer
Craig Williams Rhonda Harsy
ABOUT   This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through the Perryton-Ochitree Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com. FOR INFORMATION   Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce, 2000 South Main,
P.O. Box 789, Perryton, TX 79070, Telephone 806-435-6575, Fax 806-435-9821, www.perryton.org
Š 2009 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
History A Vibrant and Colorful Past.........................................................9
Health Care Community Driven and Expanding to Serve.............................. 11
Education New Choices, New Challenges....................................................13
Real Estate Coming Home to the Top of Texas.............................................. 16
Business & Commerce A Healthy Mix Ensures Growth.................................................18
Recreation & Culture g
PANHANDLE-PLAINS LAND BANK, FLCA Sandra A. Judice - V.P./Rural Lending Specialist
P.O. Box 1245 - 506 S. Main Perryton, TX 79070 Phone: (806) 435-4319 Fax: (806) 435-4280 sjudice@farmcreditbank.com panhandle-plainsflba.com 2 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
Tourism & Events......................................................................20
Worship A Caring Faith Community.........................................................22
Quality of Life Our Best Sides..............................................................................24
Index of Advertisers................................. 25 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce 2000 S. Main | P.O. Box 789 phone 806-435-6575 | fax 806-435-9821 | www.perryton.org
Welcome
Perryton has natural beauty, with wide-open spaces; clean, clear lakes; and vast wheat farms that have earned the county its well-known title as “Wheatheart of the Nation.”
When You Choose Perryton, Texas, You Choose It All. T here’s no need to choose between prosperity, natural beauty, and hometown values when looking for your new home. When you choose Perryton, Texas, you choose it all. Born on the High Plains of Texas in the early 1900s, Perryton is the gateway to Texas for travel and business. Located just minutes from Oklahoma and less than an hour from Kansas, the city enjoys year-round visitors from throughout the United States. Perryton has natural beauty, with wide-open spaces; clean, clear lakes; and vast wheat farms that have earned the county its well-known title as “Wheatheart of the Nation.” Active oil and gas fields produce vast amounts of petroleum. Perryton is home to fascinating history, from unique archaeological discoveries to the story of the settling of an entire city at Perryton’s railroad. In true Texas tradition, Ochiltree County is home to wide open spaces for business expansion, as well as a workforce that’s second to none and an extremely competitive cost of living and doing business. Homes are affordable and the neighborhoods friendly. Shopping for both necessities and treats is easy, as Perryton has wonderful shopping areas boasting everything from “big box” retailers to a charming downtown with shops
4 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
By Laura Wilcoxen offering everything from antiques to contemporary clothing. Restaurants and dining places serve delicious treats, while fitness and sports facilities keep residents in shape. Families with children will find award-winning public schools boasting high academic achievement, providing excellent education at every grade level, from preschool through community college. Medical services are superior and include the progressive Ochiltree General Hospital. Perryton is easily accessible via highways and railroads and offers a modern airport for private aircraft. The “front door” for this City on the Move is the Chamber of Commerce. Working through community leaders and volunteers, the Chamber is the source of energy for this enjoyable city. It’s also the first stop for anyone looking for more information on this outstanding community. Drop by, log on, or give us a call — we can’t wait to welcome you!
Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce 2000 S. Main Street P.O. Box 789 Perryton, Texas 79070 phone 806-435-6575 :: fax 806-4345-9821 www.perryton.org
Location &
Community Profile
Notes to Know on Your New Home By Laura Wilcoxen
Perryton-Ochiltree Quick Facts ✓✓ Located in the extreme northeast portion of the Texas panhandle, Ochiltree County’s seat, Perryton, is only seven miles south of the Oklahoma state line and is the northernmost county seat in Texas. ✓✓ Other communities in Ochiltree County include Waka, Huntoon, Farnsworth, and Twichell. ✓✓ Known as the “Wheatheart of the Nation,” the county is located in the Great Wheat Belt of the Southwest and boasts rich soil for farming and grazing. ✓✓ Underlying deposits of oil and gas from the Anadarko Basin have produced a thriving energy industry in the region. ✓✓ The county is part of the treeless area extending from near the Rocky Mountains through western Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. ✓✓ One of Perryton’s most famous residents is Hank the Cowdog. A fictional character created by
long-time Perryton resident John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog is the head of Ranch Security at his ranch. Since his debut in 1982 in The Cattleman magazine, Hank has been entertaining children and adults alike with stories of daily life on a ranch. ✓✓ Mike Hargrove, a graduate of Perryton High School, was Major League Baseball’s A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1974, when he played with the Texas Rangers. Hargrove’s playing career lasted until 1985. Hargrove began a career as an MLB manager in 1991. ✓✓ 2006 PHS graduate Jeremy Campbell won the gold medal in the Men’s Pentathalon at the Beijing Paralympic Games on September 11, 2008. ✓✓ Perryton adopted Waveland, Mississippi, as its Sister City following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Four semi truckloads of relief supplies were sent to Waveland by Perryton residents.
Known as the “Wheatheart of the Nation,” the county is located in the Great Wheat Belt of the Southwest and boasts rich soil for farming and grazing.
www.perryton.org 5
West Texas Gas Inc..........806-435-5844 Sewer City of Perryton...............806-435-4014 Water City of Perryton...............806-435-4014 Communications High-Speed Internet Allegiance Communications............806-435-3231 PTCI................................806-648-1111
Telephone PTCI................................806-648-1111 Windstream Communications...........806-435-2050
Population Perryton, 2007..................................8,265 Change since 2000...................... +3.7% Ochiltree County, 2007.....................9,587 Change since 2000...................... +4.7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Cost of Living 2008 U.S. average is 100. Perryton..............................................79.6 Ochiltree County................................80.4 Source: city-data.com
Distances to Major Cities (Highway Miles) Amarillo, Texas....................................121 Oklahoma City, Okla...........................241 Wichita, Kan........................................256 Tulsa, Okla...........................................304 Santa Fe, N.M......................................373 Albuquerque, N.M...............................380 Dallas, Texas........................................402 Denver, Colo........................................421 Kansas City, Kan..................................457 Source: Rand McNally
Climate
Services
Average Temperatures January.............................................. 18°F July................................................. 93.1°F Average annual temperature............... 55°F
Utilities Electricity Xcel Energy (city)............800-750-2520 North Plains Electric Coop (rural).....806-435-5482
Precipitation Average annual rainfall............ 20.6 inches Average annual snowfall.......... 16.4 inches A verage number of sunny days each year.........................251 Source: Sperling’s BestPlaces
Garbage City of Perryton...............806-435-5503 Natural Gas City of Perryton...............806-435-4014
2920 DUNIVEN CR. #3 AMARILLO, TX 79109 Office (806) 355-9856 Fax (806) 358-3481
Neal Flathers neal@texpanland.com www.texpanland.com
6 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
417 S. Amherst Perryton, TX 79070 Office (806) 434-1407 Fax (806) 435-5123 Mobile (806) 202-0746
Media Cable Television Allegiance Communications...........806-435-3231 PTCI................................806-648-1111 DISH Network Windstream Communications...........806-435-2050 Radio KEYE FM 96.1/AM 1400...806-435-5458 KXDJ FM 98.3.................806-648-2650 Newspaper Perryton Herald...............806-435-3631
Government
Committed to Service By Jennifer Bull & Laura Wilcoxen
Perryton Form of Government With more than 8,000 residents, Perryton, the seat of Ochiltree County, is governed by a mayor and five council members who adopt policy. A city manager is employed to implement policies. Perryton employs 70 full-time personnel and recently remodeled and expanded City Hall to better serve residents. Public Safety The Perryton Police Department employs 10 uniformed officers and provides dispatching services for the Fire/EMS Department, which is staffed by the chief and nine Texas-certified firefighters/paramedics. This department performs roughly 400 ambulance runs and 60 fire calls annually and functions as the primary responder for Ochiltree County.
City Offices The City of Perryton may be contacted at: City Hall 110 S. Ash • P.O. Box 849 • Perryton, TX 79070-0849 806-435-4014...............................fax 806-435-2490
Administration.....................806-435-4014 ext 3102 City Service..........................806-465-5503 ext 3401 Fire Department (non-emergency) Chief.................................806-435-3000 ext 3301 Other................................806-435-3000 ext 3303 Golf Course.........................................806-435-3741 Mayor/City Council.............806-435-4014 ext 3102 Parks....................................806-435-5503 ext 3406 Public Works.......................806-435-4013 ext 3113 Streets................. 806-435-5503 ext 3407 U tility Billing (customer service) . ....................... 806-435-4014 ext 3408
City Hall 110 S. Ash P.O. Box 849 Perryton, TX 79070-0849 phone 806-435-4014 fax 806-435-2490 County Courthouse 511 S. Main Street Perryton, TX 79070-3127 phone 806-435-8031 fax 806-435-2081
www.perryton.org 7
✓✓ The Perryton Ochiltree County Airport (KPYX) boasts a 6,000-foot paved runway and a grass cross-wind runway. A certified aircraft mechanic is on the premises, and fuel sales are offered at the airport terminal. The airport also boasts an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), whereby pilots can obtain real-time weather conditions by radio, telephone, or computer.
Ochiltree County Form of Government The county is governed by the Ochiltree County Commissioners Court, made up of four county commissioners and the county judge.
County Offices Ochiltree County may be contacted at:
County Courthouse 511 S. Main Street • Perryton, TX 79070-3127 806-435-8031...............fax 806-435-2081
Auditor.............................. 806-435-8044 Commissioners Precinct 1....................... 806-435-6169 Precinct 2....................... 806-435-8075 Precinct 3....................... 806-435-8034 Precinct 4....................... 806-435-8034 Constable........................... 806-435-6150 County Attorney................ 806-435-8035 County Clerk..................... 806-435-8039 County Judge..................... 806-435-8031 Extension Office................. 806-435-4501 Justice of the Peace............ 806-435-8020 Sheriff (non-emergency).... 806-435-8000 Tax Assessor-Collector....... 806-435-8060 Treasurer............................ 806-435-8046
Public Safety Law enforcement is provided by the Ochiltree County Sheriff’s Department, which consists of the sheriff and six deputies who operate the 32-bed county jail. The communications center serves to dispatch not just the Sheriff’s Department officers, but also the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Game Wardens. Amenities/Services ✓✓ Ochiltree County maintains 667 miles of roads. ✓✓ The county helps maintain the county park in Perryton, where sports fields, such as soccer and baseball, can be found alongside a rodeo arena. This park is also home to the County Exposition Center where many community events, including the Annual Livestock Show, take place.
Williams Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
“Where Quality Still Counts� www.williamsplumbing.net
806-435-5047
4 .BJO r 1FSSZUPO 59
Al Williams - Owner SERVICE ON ALL MAKES & MODELS . 5"$-# $
8 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
History
A Vibrant and Colorful Past By Nathan Wilcoxen
O
fficially organized in 1889, Ochiltree County is named for William Beck Ochiltree, a colonel of the Confederacy and later a Republic of Texas district court judge who moved to the region in 1840 to practice law. The village of Ochiltree remained the county seat until 1919, when the newly formed town of Perryton took over the title. Both Perryton and Ochiltree County played an exciting part in North Texas history. In the 1870s, the prairie lands of North Texas were a dangerous area for settlers to travel, as it was still a known territory for Comanche and Kiowa hunting parties hostile to oncoming settlers. This all changed in 1874 when the U.S. military launched a campaign to remove the Native American tribes from the region. Known officially as the Red River War, the campaign
saw the last free band of southwestern Comanches, led by Quanah Parker, surrender in June 1875 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, thus effectively ending the war and opening the land up for settlement. In 1878, soon after the Red River War, a pair of ranchers named Tom Connell and Dee Eubanks established the first recorded ranch in Ochiltree County. By 1885 another rancher, Henry W. Cresswell, owned much of the land in Ochiltree County, with his operating headquarters on Wolf Creek. Not surprisingly, the surge of farmers and ranchers settling in the area coincided with the establishment of the railroad some 30 miles to the east of the town of Ochiltree in Lipscomb County. This made travel to the railway a relatively close one- to two-day trip for the ranchers and farmers of the area.
Ochiltree County, Texas, offers a wealth of history within its borders.
www.perryton.org 9
The railroad continued to expand, and in 1919, the construction of the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway was laid from Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Spearman, Texas. The railway was designed to tap into the emerging wheat market of the area. In the same year, the town of Perryton was established on the railway some 15 miles north of Ochiltree. In an unprecedented move, the entire towns of Ochiltree, Texas, and Gray, Oklahoma, were literally picked up their buildings and moved from their locations to form Perryton. This engineering feat was so impressive at the time that it merited a cover story in a 1920 issue of Popular Mechanics. Demand for wheat was high after World War I, and the population of Perryton more than doubled, from 2,331 citizens in 1920 to 5,224 citizens by 1930. However, the population declined in the 1930s, when the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl severely limited the production of the county’s staple crop. But in 1951, the discovery of gas and oil in the southern part of the county led to a new economic boom in Perryton. By 1970, the population of Perryton had grown to some 9,704 citizens.
Ochiltree County boasts much more than just agricultural and oil history, though. The “Buried City,� which lies on the south banks of Wolf Creek just outside of Perryton, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ancient ruins were initially excavated and documented by T.L. Eyerly, a natural history professor at Canadian Academy in 1907. Eyerly mistakenly concluded that the ruins were nothing more than burial mounds. It took almost a century for scholars to fully appreciate the complexity of the ruins. Recent studies have found that Buried City consists of numerous habitation sites along Wolf Creek and includes the remnants of houses built by Plains Villagers sometime between A.D. 1200 and 1400. What makes Buried City so fascinating to archaeologists is that the settlement is believed to have been inhabited by a people with a unique culture of their own, separate from the Pueblo “Cliff Dwellers� of the American Southwest, the Antelope Creek villagers of the Canadian River, and the Woodland “Mound Builders� of the Kansas City area. In 1936, the state of Texas erected a historical marker located on Lake Fryer Road four miles east of U.S. Highway 83 to commemorate this historic find. Bringing Ochiltree County’s vibrant and colorful past all together is the Museum of the Plains in Perryton. The museum, open since 1975, has four late 18th-century and early 20th-century original structures on its grounds. In addition, the museum is home to over 10,000 artifacts chronicling the history of Ochiltree County, including numerous artifacts from the “Buried City.� Ochiltree County, Texas, offers a wealth of history within its borders. Anyone who enjoys investigating the past or just getting a feel for what life was like on the early North Texas plains will be delighted with the historical record that Ochiltree County has to offer.
0 / "OX s 0ERRYTON 48 /FlCE s &AX
10 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
Health Care
Community Driven and Expanding to Serve
By Laura Wilcoxen
Ochiltree General Hospital
3101 Garrett Drive, Perryton 806-435-3606 :: www.ochiltreehospital.com
Community determination brought about the creation of Ochiltree General Hospital, which has been serving Ochiltree County for more than 40 years. Built with funds from two publicly approved bond issues, the hospital admitted its first patients in January 1967. Today, Ochiltree General Hospital is a full-service hospital and a Level 4, state-certified trauma center. Services ✓✓ Emergency: 24-hour emergency care is provided by specially trained physicians and nurses using advanced medical technology. ✓✓ Home Health: Traveling care providers provide physician-directed nursing, therapeutic, dietary, and social care.
✓✓ Hospice: Medical, social, and therapeutic care is offered in the home or care facility for terminally ill patients and their families. ✓✓ Laboratory: OGH provides in-house serology, hematology, blood banking, and chemistry to aid in diagnosis and treatment. ✓✓ Medical Equipment: Free delivery, set-up, and education on using a variety of equipment and supplies, including wheelchairs, orthotics, diabetic supplies, nebulizers, and more. ✓✓ Physical Therapy: Inpatient and outpatient rehab services for recovery after surgery, illness, or injury. ✓✓ Radiology: Imaging services include radiography, mammography, CAT scan, ultrasound, and MRI. ✓✓ Respiratory Therapy: Two full-time therapists provide cardiopulmonary testing and treatment.
Perryton Health Center provides general practice care that includes full family medicine, pediatric care, and obstetric services.
www.perryton.org 11
✓✓ Local transportation ✓✓ Medication management Convenient amenities for residents include a gift shop, library, and beautiful common areas for dining and relaxing. The Seasons is part of the Ochiltree County Hospital District. Senior Village Nursing Home 3101 S. Main, Perryton 806-435-5403
✓✓ Social Services: Assistance in dealing with the financial, social, and emotional problems that arise with illness and hospitalization, including after-care referrals. ✓✓ Trauma: State-certified, Level 4 trauma care provided by physicians and nurses certified in specialized adult and pediatric trauma care. ✓✓ Women and Children: Prenatal care, obstetrics services, and specially designed delivery suites.
The 60-bed Senior Village Nursing Home is run by a highly trained and licensed staff. This 24-hour nursing care facility gives your loved ones extra help when they need it most. Services here include activities, dietary plans, housekeeping, physical and mental health care, nursing, therapy, social work, and medication assistance.
Additional Services Dentistry, chiropractics, pharmacy services, and more can all be found in Perryton and Ochiltree County. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 806-435-6575 for more information on local health providers.
Perryton Health Center Expansion Part of the Ochiltree County Hospital District and located on the campus of OGH, Perryton Health Center provides general practice care that includes full family medicine, pediatric care, and obstetric services. An expansion to the center is currently under way. In addition to adding much-needed extra space for new examination rooms, a waiting room, and a conference center, the construction involves remodeling the Emergency Room.
Senior Living The Seasons 401 SW 24th Avenue, Perryton 806-648-1884
Independent living with peace of mind can be found at The Seasons, which offers spacious apartments with assisted living services that include: ✓✓ Three full-course meals each day ✓✓ Maintenance services that include weekly housekeeping, free laundry facilities, and daily trash removal ✓✓ Planned activities
Perryton Health Index
Perryton U.S. Air quality (100=best) 70 48 Superfund sites* (100=best) 86 71 *The Superfund index is based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the region, including spending on cleanup efforts. Source: Sperling’s BestPlaces
Kirk
Insurance Agency MICHAEL CRAIG Wellness Coach
)0.& t "650 t -*'& t $0..&3$*"-
806.648.7777
48 SE 4USFFU t 1FSSZUPO 59
37 TH !VE s 0ERR YTON 4 8 WWW MADDNUTRITION COM
12 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
(806) 435-2900 &NBJM LJSLBHFODZ!HNBJM DPN
Education
New Choices, New Challenges By Laura Wilcoxen
Perryton Independent School District http://perrytonisd.com
Commitment to outstanding education is the hallmark of Perryton Independent School District. Each of the campuses — Perryton Kinder, James L. Wright Elementary, Edwin F. Williams Intermediate, Perryton Junior High, Perryton Senior High, and Top of Texas Accelerated Education Center — is staffed by a dedicated faculty and support group, and each campus maintains improvement plans that are updated annually to ensure that faculty and staff have firm goals for academic achievement and course improvement. Districtwide, a building assessment has been performed at each campus to determine what improvements need to be made to facilities to ensure the optimum learning environment for all students. Here are some quick facts and highlights from all the PISD campuses.
Perryton Kinder 410 S. Eton, Perryton 806-435-2463
✓✓ Prekindergarten/kindergarten building. ✓✓ School-readiness curriculum includes Waterford Early Reading, Saxon Math. James L. Wright Elementary 1702 S. Grinnell, Perryton 806-435-2371
✓✓ Grades 1–3. ✓✓ Blue Ribbon School, 2004. The national Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools that are either academically s uperior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.
Commitment to outstanding education is the hallmark of Perryton Independent School District.
www.perryton.org 13
✓✓ Girls’ athletics include basketball, crosscountry, golf, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. ✓✓ Newly renovated Ranger Field features a football field and track that rival the standards of professional teams. ✓✓ 2006 PHS graduate Jeremy Campbell won the gold medal in the Men’s Pentathalon at the Beijing Paralympic Games on September 11, 2008. ✓✓ Clubs include National Honor Society, Drama, Choir, and Ag Science. Top of Texas Accelerated Education Center 605 N. Main, Perryton 806-435-0389
✓✓ The Texas Education Agency (TEA) gave Wright Elementary its secondhighest rating, “Recognized,” in 2004–2007, and rated the school as “Exemplary,” its highest rating, in 2003-2004. Edwin F. Williams Intermediate School 902 SW 19th Avenue, Perryton 806-435-3436
✓✓ Grades 4–5. ✓✓ Rated “Recognized” 2005–2006 by the TEA. Perryton Junior High 510 S. Eton, Perryton 806-435-3601
✓✓ Grades 6–8. ✓✓ Perryton Junior High saw an increase in TAKS scores over previous years in all
areas on 2007 state accountability and adequate yearly progress reports. ✓✓ Music programs include band and choir. ✓✓ Athletics include track. ✓✓ Live online homework help is available through the school Web site, http://perrytonisd.com/PJH/. Perryton High School 1200 S. Jefferson, Perryton 806-435-3633
✓✓ Grades 9–12. ✓✓ PHS students’ ACT scores have been above state levels the past two years. ✓✓ Students can take courses in business, home economics, speech and theater arts, and art. ✓✓ Boys’ athletics include baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, tennis, and track.
✓✓ TOTAEC offers classes for students from Ochiltree, Hansford, and Lipscomb counties who are identified as being at risk for dropping out of school. ✓✓ Center offers competency-based alternative education, with an individualized, self-paced curriculum for each student. ✓✓ Student success is measured by course completion, attendance, responsibility, and TAKS scores.
Frank Phillips College Allen Campus “Start Here … Go Anywhere” 2314 S. Jefferson, Perryton 806-648-1450 :: www.fpctx.edu
Frank Phillips College (FPC) provides college courses, online education, and industry training to more than 3,000 students each semester. FPC recently celebrated the grand
Slickline Service, Plunger Installation & Service Mega Lift Systems
Office: (806) 648-1505 Fax: (806) 648-1530
14 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
1322 S. Main P.O. Box 836 Perryton, TX 79070
opening of its new campus in Perryton: the Allen Campus. The project started with an initial investment of $500,000 from the Perryton Community Development Corporation, supplemented with donations from businesses and private individuals. A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and a generous $1 million gift from Jack and Rita Allen put the project over the top. FPC is an invaluable new member of the Perryton community. Some information about amenities and programs available at FPC and the Allen Campus follows. ✓✓ Frank Phillips College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. ✓✓ A dual credit partnership program allows high school students the opportunity to enroll in college courses while still in high school, earning simultaneous academic credit from both the college and the high school.
✓✓ Frank Phillips College provides noncredit continuing education courses to businesses and the public, awarding Continuing Education Units (CEUs). ✓✓ Frank Phillips College is committed to the GED program and helping people complete their high school equivalency. Services include GED preparation and instruction for basic skills, workforce, or college entry. There is no charge for GED classes. ✓✓ Frank Phillips College offers distance education. ✓✓ FPC offers seven Division I intercollegiate athletic programs, as well as summer athletic camps for youth and adults. ✓✓ Features of the Allen campus include bright, open meeting spaces and common areas; a student resource center; three distance-learning classrooms; a conference center; a computer lab; two general use classrooms; an allied health/ nursing classroom; two industrial technology laboratories; and a hydroponics greenhouse.
& Company !NTIQUES 'IFTS AND !CCESSORIES
Charlotte Hale – Owner
3 -AIN s 0ERRYTON 48
www.charlotteandcompany.net
www.perryton.org 15
Real Estate
Coming Home to the Top of Texas Living in Ochiltree County gives residents the best of both worlds: the coziness of country living with all the conveniences of urban life.
T
here are older homes, new homes, lots, and commercial properties available for the interested buyer. Living in Ochiltree County gives residents the best of both worlds: the coziness of country living with all the conveniences of urban life. Homes in the area are usually brick. Typical amenities include fireplaces, formal dining rooms, dens, decks, and patios. Fenced yards, front porches, garages are also common in many homes. In 3Q2008, the average listing price on a home reached the $140,000 mark, up over earlier 2008 figures as the area began showing a quick recovery from the national housing slump (trulia.com). Homes continue
16 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
By Laura Wilcoxen
to appreciate in the area, with a median home value in 2007 of $101,800, up 0.61 percent from the previous year (Sperling’s BestPlaces). If you would rather build a home, large residential lots sell for an average of $10,000. The cost to build a new three-bedroom home averages just $65 per square foot. There are several quality builders in the area ready to help make your dream home a reality. There are also opportunities for commercial growth in Ochiltree County. Commercial businesses can find available locations by contacting private real estate agents, the Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce or the Community Development Corporation (CDC).
Century 21 Golden Spread Realty – The GOLD Standard
GINA DEAL Broker/Owner
806-435-5444
3 -AIN s 0ERRYTON 4EXAS CENTURY PTSI NET Members of: Texas Association of Realtors National Association of Realtors Brian G. Diedrich Financial Advisor 3 -AIN 3TREET s 0ERRYTON 48 "US www.edwardjones.com
3E (ABLA %SPA×OL %ACH /FlCE )S )NDEPENDENTLY /WNED AND /PERATED
#ENTURY ˆ THE MOST RECOGNIZED NAME IN REAL ESTATE "UT OUR REAL STORY IS BEYOND NUMBERS IT S A STANDARD )T S ABOUT SHARED VALUES BELIEFS AND HARD WORK FROM EVERYONE THAT IS A PART OF #ENTURY 'OLDEN 3PREAD 2EALTY %VERY MEMBER OF OUR TEAM IS FOCUSED ON BRINGING SUPERIOR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY !VERAGING MILLION VISITS A MONTH #ENTURY COM AFFORDS SELLERS TREMENDOUS EXPOSURE "UYERS CAN BROWSE AN AVERAGE OF LISTINGS GET DAILY UPDATES WHEN #ENTURY LISTINGS THAT MEET THEIR CRITERIA COME ON THE MARKET AND CRUNCH NUMBERS WITH USER FRIENDLY FINANCIAL CALCULATORS
www.century21.com or www.century21espanol.com www.perryton.org 17
Business & Commerce
A Healthy Mix Ensures Growth By Laura Wilcoxen Even though Ochiltree County boasts a low unemployment rate, new employers report that they do not have a difficult time finding quality employees to help run their business.
A Resilient Economy As can be seen in the chart “Population by Occupation,� on page 19, the workforce in Perryton is uniquely well-balanced among a number of industries, with no one sector claiming dominance. This diversity in the regional economy means that Perryton and Ochiltree County are able to weather national economic downturns much more easily than other parts of the country, as shown by the area’s remarkably low unemployment rate (see “Unemployment Rate, July 2008,� on page 19).
Business Relocation/Expansion Businesses looking for a place to relocate or expand can look to Perryton as a prime location. Workforce In any business endeavor, the available workforce is always key. Even though Ochiltree County boasts a low unemployment rate, new employers report that they do not have a difficult time finding quality employees to help run their business. The Texas Employment Commission reports that Perryton draws labor from a 40-mile radius.
Transport ✓✓ The interstate and intrastate motor freight carrier is Beaver Express. Packages can be shipped through UPS, Federal Express, and Pony Express. ✓✓ Perryton also has a local non-commercial airport with a 6,000-foot paved runway with lights and instruments.
Commerce and Retail With more than 200 specialty shops, restaurants, and service businesses, Perryton has truly become the regional commerce center for the Texas Panhandle. Downtown The City of Perryton, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, completed a $1.2 million Main Street Enhancement Project downtown. The project added new full-width brick sidewalks, decorative street and pedestrian light fixtures, ornamental trees, and a visitors center/restroom facility to an already healthy downtown shopping sector that includes a variety of restaurants; top-quality lodging, including bed and breakfasts; attractions, including the Museum of
HickersJewelers on Full Service Jewelry & Watch Repair Foundation of Fine Jewelry
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18 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
the Plains and the library; and numerous retailers and service businesses, including: antiques • auto parts • barber/beauty shops • clothing cycle shop • department store • electronics • fitness facilities florist • furniture • gifts gourmet/specialty foods/candies greeting cards • groceries • hardware • insurance agencies jewelers • movie theater • office supplies • pet supplies photographers • sports equipment • video rental
Agriculture The rich soil of Ochiltree County is made up of clay and loam, perfect for growing wheat, grain sorghum, corn, and alfalfa. The agricultural sector continues to produce both employment and revenue for the area. Hog and cattle ranches are some of the major employers in the area. The largest area employer is Texas Farm, a hog-raising operation that employs over 350 people. There are 50 ranches in Ochiltree County, and the average ranch size is 10,000 acres. Annually, over 240,000 hogs are raised/fed/slaughtered each year in the area, with future projections reaching over 1 million. Over 200,000 head of cattle are sold annually in Ochiltree County. Big 4 Packing and Preferred Beef Group handle processing in the area. Area ranchers enjoy a good working relationship with the city. As Ochiltree County’s slogan, “Wheatheart of the Nation,” suggests, farming is a major part of the economy in Perryton. Area farmers produce over 7 million bushels of wheat, 3.5 million bushels of grain sorghum, 3 million bushels of corn, 10,000 tons of hay and 400,000 bushels of soybeans annually. There are just over 370 farms in the county, with an average farm size of 1,588 acres. The underlying heartbeat of the community is the oil and gas industry. Oil-related businesses make up a large portion of employers in the area. Four of the top 10 employers in the county are in the oil and gas industry. The industry has deep roots in the area, with the first oil lease filed in 1912. In 1955, Woodson Oil Company brought the oil industry to Perryton in full swing. They drilled the No. 1 Perry Unit on the southeast edge of Perryton and began a flurry of excitement when it became a producer. The leasing and drilling that followed brought several other service companies to town and solidified the presence of the oil and gas industry in Perryton. Since then, the industry has thrived and provided many jobs to the Perryton area. Major area employers have discovered the value of the Perryton workforce, with its strong work ethic and its desire to see local companies succeed. This helps to solidify Perryton and Ochiltree County as an excellent place to establish a business.
Business/Entity ........................................................# of Employees Texas Farm .........................................................................................378 Perryton Independent School District...............................................300 Ochiltree County Hospital District....................................................126 Key Energy .......................................................................................... 94 Perryton Equity ................................................................................... 85 Gorman-Phillips...................................................................................76 Enerpipe ...............................................................................................75 United Supermarket ........................................................................... 75 City of Perryton................................................................................... 70 Ochiltree County .................................................................................65 Loyd Jones Well Service.......................................................................60
Schlumberger ...................................................................................... 52 BJ Services ............................................................................................50 Senior Village Nursing Home ..............................................................50 Jet Well Service.................................................................................... 48 Pool Company .....................................................................................44 FirstBank Southwest ............................................................................42
Unemployment Rate, July 2008 United States ....................................................................................6.0% Texas .................................................................................................5.0% Ochiltree County .............................................................................2.9% Source: Texas Workforce Commission
Job Growth, Perryton 2007 ...............................................................................................4.07% Anticipated growth, 2007–2017 ................................................ 34.26% Source: Sperling’s BestPlaces
Population by Occupation Management, business, and financial......................................... 10.08% Professional and related .............................................................. 11.62% Service ......................................................................................... 13.28% Sales and office ............................................................................ 24.93% Farming, fishing, forestry...............................................................5.90% Construction, extraction, maintenance ...................................... 17.32% Production, transport, moving ................................................... 17.57% Source: Sperling’s BestPlaces
Helping Feed The World
4200 South Main Perryton, TX 79070 Phone: 806.435.5935 Fax: 806.435.3656 texasfarmpork.com Nippon Ham Group
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Recreation & Culture
Just off Highway 83 near Perryton, Wolf Creek Park and Lake Fryer offer a variety of activities for the whole family.
Tourism & Events
Wolf Creek Park/Lake Fryer
Just off Highway 83 near Perryton, Wolf Creek Park and Lake Fryer offer a variety of activities for the whole family. You can camp in the same places as the early frontiersmen and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. The lake offers plenty of water sports, while the land-lover can choose from a selection of forested hiking trails. The park provides venues for camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and boating, as well as a walking and jogging path, two playgrounds, a multipurpose tennis/basketball court, restrooms, and a handicap-accessible, floating fish dock.
20 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
By Jennifer Bull & Laura Wilcoxen
Camping Wolf Creek Park is a favorite place for camping, and it’s easy to see why. Ninety-four RV hookups provide full electricity and water, so you can get back to the beauty of nature while enjoying many of the comforts of home. There are also picnic tables and barbeque grills throughout the shaded campground, and restrooms and hot showers are provided on the north and south shores. For the camper who enjoys a more rustic experience, there are several wilderness areas scattered around the lake ready for you to pitch a tent. Roads in these areas
are designated “non-through traffic,” allowing a peaceful camping experience. Recreation Once at the park, you can enjoy fishing for a variety of fish in the stocked lake and get all the fishing gear you need at a well-equipped bait house. If you aren’t into fishing, enjoy swimming, wind surfing, boating, and skiing on the lake. There are also plenty of things to do on land. The park has many trails to explore, and hikers often glimpse deer, antelope, turkeys, and many other species of native wildlife. The Lobo Trading Post sells picnic, camping, and fishing supplies and permits and also offers a pleasant dining experience. Additional visitors flock to Wolf Creek each year for the Fourth of July celebration, as the park offers a spectacular view of the fireworks display.
Community Celebrations
the railroad. When the residents of Ochiltree moved their homes to what is now Perryton to be close to the railroad, they had no idea their practicality would be celebrated every year with the Wheatheart of the Nation Celebration. This annual event marks the day the first train steamed through Ochiltree County in 1919. Festivities begin with a breakfast followed by a parade commemorating the founding of Perryton. The Museum of the Plains holds Pioneer Day in conjunction with the Wheatheart of the Nation Celebration and offers free admission to the museum, where patrons can browse through booths set up by local artisans. Oil Patch Golf Tournament The Perryton Municipal Golf Course is home to the annual Oil Patch Golf Tournament. Sponsored by the Ochiltree-Perryton Chamber of Commerce, the tournament draws players from all over the region to put their skills to the test on the 18-hole course.
Perryton Activity Center 37 4( s 0ERRYTON 48 Phone: 806-435-3661 Fax: 806-435-6682 www.perrytonac.com
Wheatheart of the Nation/Pioneer Days Like many towns in the United States, Perryton owes much to the establishment of
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Worship
A Caring Faith Community By Jennifer Bull Perryton is home to a unique organization of ministers and churches that work together to make Perryton better for everyone.
Ministerial Alliance Perryton is home to a unique organization of ministers and churches that work together to make Perryton better for everyone. The Perryton Ministerial Alliance endeavors to unite the community through service, prayer, and education. The community is brought together annually for the Thanksgiving Service, where a praise and worship musical service combines the choirs of participating churches. There is also a National Day of Prayer Service, an Easter Sunrise Service, and a once-a-month Sunday
22 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
evening celebration of praise service during the summer months of June, July, and August. Each holiday season, the Perryton Ministerial Alliance and the Perryton Musical Arts Foundation team up to perform Handel’s Messiah. This production features local talent as well as musicians from the Amarillo Symphony. In addition to spiritual guidance, the Perryton Ministerial Alliance also addresses the physical needs of area families. The Alliance Food Pantry distributes food to families throughout the year, with a special food basket given on Christmas.
Waka Christian Center Just outside Perryton the Waka Christian Center, a non-denominational Christian conference center, provides space for family reunions, youth meetings, Walks Emmaus, gospel signs, and various other events. The Waka Christian Center is fully contained, with overnight accommodations, a full-sized kitchen, a chapel, and a full-sized gymnasium. Through volunteers and donations, the building is now used to unite, inspire,
challenge, and equip members with the Christian knowledge needed in their homes, churches, and communities. Through a variety of welcoming congregations, church services, the Ministerial Alliance, the Waka Christian Center, and other worship opportunities, the members of the Ochiltree County community have their spiritual needs met on a daily basis. Come join the spirit of the community and worship with us.
Your Home Away from Home
505 SW 15th Ave. Perryton, TX 79070 806-648-2661 806-202-3326 806-930-8310 egeedye@ptsi.net
Dr. Jerry Whitehead Dr. Jarel Whitehead 2400 S. Main Perryton,TX 806-435-6533 800-728-3976
Home of Great Ideas
t Home Decor & Gifts t Bridal Registry t Full Service Florist 4 .BJO t 1FSSZUPO t Rory & Denise Wilmoth Owners
BJ Services Company, USA t GBY /8 -PPQ t 10 #PY t 1FSSZUPO 59 www.bjservices.com
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Quality of Life
There’s no need to choose between prosperity, natural beauty, and hometown values when looking for your new home. When you choose Perryton, Texas, you choose it all.
Our Best Sides ✓✓ Brand-new Ranger Field is the envy of the local sports scene, with football and track facilities that rival what the pros play on.
✓✓ The Ochiltree County Exposition Center is the heart of many events in Ochiltree County. There are rodeo grounds for watching your favorite cowboy ride a bull and a city swimming pool for cooling off during the warm summer months. Well-kept baseball and softball fields give young and old alike a chance to enjoy America’s favorite pastime, and the 18-hole golf course offers duffers a chance to practice their putts while staying close to home. ✓✓ The Perry Memorial Library offers thousands of books to capture your imagination or to give you instructions on that project you are ready to tackle. ✓✓ Nature lovers have a variety of venues to choose from in Perryton. Five city parks feature picnic areas, playgrounds, soccer fields, and tennis courts, and you
24 Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
will often hear the sound of parents cheering on their children during friendly games.
✓✓ The Senior Citizens Center is a gathering place for older Perryton residents. There are socials, games, and meals, all of which bring together good friends ready to reminisce and to make new memories. ✓✓ The Perryton Vicinity Activity Center is a gathering place for active adults and children, with racquetball and basketball courts. Cool off in the indoor pool, or continue your workout in the health club. ✓✓ For over 25 years, the Museum of the Plains has been preserving Ochiltree County’s history. In addition to being an invaluable community asset storing paleontology and archeology exhibits pertaining to Ochiltree County, the museum also preserves the region’s past by providing historical glimpses of life in Ochiltree County. The Museum of the Plains also hosts traveling exhibits that highlight the Old West.
ADVERTISER.....................PAGE #
ADVERTISER.....................PAGE #
98.3 FM KXDJ.........................................................................................................................4
O chiltree General Hospital District /
Arkhoma Transports Inc. – Chuck Neas....................................................23
The Seasons........................................................................Outside Back Cover
BJ Services Company, USA....................................................................................23
Pa nhandle-Plains Land Bank, FLCA – Sandra A. Judice..............2
Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home Inc............................................................25
Perryton Activity Center...........................................................................................21
C entury 21 Golden Spread Realty –
P erryton Community
Gina Deal.............................................................................................................................17
Development Corporation......................................................................................1
Charlotte & Company.................................................................................................15
Perryton Golf Club.........................................................................................................21
Chiropractic Health Center....................................................................................23
Perryton Independent School District..........................................................14
C liff, Scott & Associates Land Brokers –
Perryton Office Supply / Radio Shack............................................................8
Neal Flathers......................................................................................................................6
Perryton Printing.............................................................................................................10
ds Design....................................................................................................................................4
Preferred Beef Group...................................................................................................21
E -Properties – Shirley Howard / Sandra Limas....................................17
PTCI................................................................................................................................................3
Edward Jones – Brian G. Diedrich.....................................................................17
Razr’s Edge...............................................................................................................................4
Expressions Flowers-n-Accents............................................................................23
Senior Village Nursing Home.............................................................................25
F oster Testing Co., Inc. /
Shady Acres RV Park & Apartments.............................................................21
Wright Trucking, Inc...................................................................................................6
The Sidekick Cottage Bed & Breakfast........................................................23
Frank Phillips College – Allen Campus.....................................................14
Texas Farm.............................................................................................................................19
Hergert Ford, Inc..............................................................................................................23
U pshaw Insurance –
Hickerson Jewelers.........................................................................................................18 I nterstate Bank /
Index of Advertisers
Ronnie Hudson / Charla Walton-Rose....................................................15 Vermejo Energy Services.........................................................................................10
Interstate Insurance Agency, LLC....................Inside Front Cover
Waide’s Pharmacy, Inc................................................................................................15
Jim’s Tire Service...............................................................................................................25
Wheatheart Realty Inc. – Angela Graves..................................................17
Kirk Insurance Agency..............................................................................................12
W illiams Plumbing, Heating &
Madd Nutrition – Michael Craig.......................................................................12
Air Conditioning, Inc................................................................................................8
Museum of the Plains..................................................................................................25
Window Fashions, Etc..................................................................................................25
N5 Wireless Service, LLC..........................................................................................14
SENIOR VILLAGE
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Making Your Family Our Family
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NURSING HOME
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806-435-2827 / *OEVTUSJBM t 1FSSZUPO 59 www.perryton.org 25