Camp Housing was Convenience for Employees and Employers
Entry to El Paso Natural Gas Employee Housing
The year 1986 saw the end of an era and brought life-style changes to many Moore County families.
As early as the 1930s and 1940s, housing was built next to industries and provided homes for employees. These houses were called "camps". Having homes close to where they worked was a convenience for workers and employers alike.
"Camp" housing provided workers a home at a nominal rent. In most cases, the company was responsible for maintaining the homes and sometimes the grounds around the housing. The "camps" had the appearance of mini-cities with residential streets and lighting.
Industries were not located close to towns, and cars were not always dependable. Weather could make driving on unpaved roads difficult. Living in a "camp" next to industries made it possible for workers to walk to their jobs in a few minutes.
These "camps" became like small cities. Some had grocery stores and other conveniences.
Country schools were located in areas where there was a sizeable number of students.
As early as the 1930s and 1940s, housing was built next to industries and provided homes for employees. These houses were called "camps". Having homes close to where they worked was a convenience for workers and employers alike.
"Camp" housing provided workers a home at a nominal rent. In most cases, the company was responsible for maintaining the homes and sometimes the grounds around the housing. The "camps" had the appearance of mini-cities with residential streets and lighting.
Industries were not located close to towns, and cars were not always dependable. Weather could make driving on unpaved roads difficult. Living in a "camp" next to industries made it possible for workers to walk to their jobs in a few minutes.
These "camps" became like small cities. Some had grocery stores and other conveniences.
Country schools were located in areas where there was a sizeable number of students.
El Paso Housing closed in 1986.
The Bivins school at Masterson provided education for children at the Canadian River Gas Company. That company became Colorado Interstate Gas and now is Scout Energy. Children from the Exell Helium Plant and from surrounding ranches also attended Bivins school.
The Skelly school, later called Armstrong school, was in eastern Moore County. Children who lived in "camps" by Panhandle Eastern, Natural Gas Pipeline, Phillips Petroleum and Cabot Carbon attended the Armstrong school.
Students from American Zinc and Diamond Shamrock were bussed to Dumas every day. Few students drove to school.
After several decades, the need for "camps" began to change. Employees began to find their own homes in towns where there were more conveniences. Gradually, the "camps" began to close.
The last of the camps to close was the one at El Paso Natural Gas Co., southwest of Dumas. The 19 homes in the "camp" were built in 1949 and were almost fully occupied during the 37 years it was there.
The closing of the El Paso "camp" was announced in March of 1986 and the news release said it would be closed by November 1st. Employees living in the houses had first opportunity to purchase the home, but the house must be relocated to another site. Once the home was purchased, the buyer had 120 days to move the house. Houses that were not purchased by November 1st were to be sold in an auction.
The Skelly school, later called Armstrong school, was in eastern Moore County. Children who lived in "camps" by Panhandle Eastern, Natural Gas Pipeline, Phillips Petroleum and Cabot Carbon attended the Armstrong school.
Students from American Zinc and Diamond Shamrock were bussed to Dumas every day. Few students drove to school.
After several decades, the need for "camps" began to change. Employees began to find their own homes in towns where there were more conveniences. Gradually, the "camps" began to close.
The last of the camps to close was the one at El Paso Natural Gas Co., southwest of Dumas. The 19 homes in the "camp" were built in 1949 and were almost fully occupied during the 37 years it was there.
The closing of the El Paso "camp" was announced in March of 1986 and the news release said it would be closed by November 1st. Employees living in the houses had first opportunity to purchase the home, but the house must be relocated to another site. Once the home was purchased, the buyer had 120 days to move the house. Houses that were not purchased by November 1st were to be sold in an auction.
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Moore County Camps
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