Shamrock - Good Luck and Courage
SHAMROCK, TEXAS. Sounds Irish, doesn't it? Well, in truth, the name of Shamrock, located on old Route 66 was first suggested, for good luck and courage, by Irish immigrant sheep rancher George Nickel, when he applied in 1890 to open a post office at his homesite just north of the area now known as Shamrock. The federal postal officials accepted the name, but the post office was never opened. Unfortunately, the Nickel home burned down the shortly after. Shamrock's official beginning came with the arrival of the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway in the summer of 1902. Known as Wheeler at time, then Exum, for the man who opened a new post office, the name Shamrock became official when the railroad named the stop Shamrock in 1903, and the Shamrock post office reopened. From 1903 to 1907 Shamrock became one of the area's trade centers. Shamrock was incorporated in 1911 with E. L. Woodley as the first mayor. By 1925 the population had grown to 2,500. Oil was discovered in the area in 1926, and the population increased to 3,778 by 1930.
Oil hastened the growth of Shamrock and a decline in the oil industry saw its decline by 1940. By 1950, however, the population of Shamrock began it increase again thanks to Old Route 66. The improvement of U.S. Highway 66 made the main avenue of Shamrock boom with garages, filling stations, restaurants, and tourist courts, many of which many of these later closed when Route 66 was bypassed by Highway 40. Shamrock, true to its name, stuck it out, and with luck and courage continued to prosper in the 1980s. . In 1984 Shamrock reported a total of ninety-five businesses. Cattle, agriculture, gas, and petroleum continued to be primary in the economy.
Since 1938, a Shamrock celebrates every year with its traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration o the weekend nearest March 17. Originated by Glen Truax, the town bandmaster, this two-day affair features Irish food, fun, and festivities, complete with a parade, a banquet, various other entertainments, and the crowning of Miss Irish Rose. A fragment of the genuine Blarney Stone from Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, is mounted on a pillar in Elmore Park.
Seen the movie, "CARS"? Ramone's House of Body Art in the movie is based primarily on the U Drop Inn right here in Shamrock. Built in 1936 by J. M. Tindall and R. C. Lewis, the U-Drop Inn has been a welcome sight many a traveler who was looking forward to "Delicious Food Courteously Served". Restores to its original Art Deco design, it is still a sight of welcome for all who come.
Sources:
Wikipedia Encyclopedia
L. Handbook of Texas Online
City of Shamrock
