Memories Of Phillips
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That town where I was born is gone now forever,
But I still carry some memories no one can sever.
I thought I would document some while I still can,
So Phillips may be recalled when I’m a famous man.
Here’s the story of the Phillips landmarks I did host,
For my dear old hometown that is now just a ghost.
For those of you that may still remember the town,
Here’s a map showing where the landmarks are found.
Phillips, Texas, map showing location of landmarks discussed herein.
1. Frank Phillips Men’s Club Building.
2. Pantex Hospital
3. Frank Phillips Men’s Club Lake
4. Eleplant Rock
5. Phillips Avenue
6. Jack’s Phillips 66 Station
7. Sutphen’s Barbeque Resturant
8. Dixon Creek Hill
9. Coble Lease
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Memories Of Phillips
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There was an old wooden building with double doors,
With steps in front and a big hardwood dance floor,
Where the Frank Phillips Men’s Club meetings were held
On the Sunset Heights road near Jolly’s Drug, do tell.
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I attended Boy Scout Troop 77 on the lower floor,
Of Frank Phillips Men’s Club where that oath I swore.
We had our 1961 Senior Prom on the hardwood floor,
Dancing to that soft 50’s Rock Music we all did adore.
Troop 77 Boy Scouts sponsored by Frank Phillips Men’s Club that had meetings in their building.
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Near the Men’s Club was the Pantex Hospital so small,
Where I was born in 1943, a chubby boy not too tall.
The old hospital was converted to a community center,
Where I attended dances as a teenage boy so tender.
The Phillips Pantex Hospital where I was born, later converted into a community center.
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Further down that road towards Sunset Heights region,
Was Frank Phillips Lake that I often fished and swam in.
Occasionally, we rented a row boat for some fun,
And even skinny dipped a time or two on the run.
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Not far from my Stark Street home was a large stone,
That looked a lot like an elephant out there all alone.
Every kid in town climbed Elephant Rock a time or two,
So it became a famous landmark that everyone knew.
The infamous Elephant Rock near my home in Phillips.
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Phillips Avenue ran from the railroad tracks eastward,
To the east side of town where the Blackhawks soared.
We all ran up and down that road learning to drive,
Perhaps speeding a little as we made that long ride.
Looking east down Phillips Avenue. That little hill was fun speeding a little.
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There at the main intersection coming into our town,
Sat Jack’s Phillips 66 Station right there on the ground.
Where we got our gas and our flat tires fixed so cheap,
Locally operated and owned by our own Jack McNeece.
Jack’s Phillips 66 Station at the intersection coming into town. In earlier years it was orange and black.
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Just up the road towards Borger from Jacks Station,
Was the original Sutphen’s Barbeque, best in the nation.
Sutphen’s was also locally owned and operated there.
It later became a major chain with restaurants everywhere.
Sutphen’s first expansion Barbeque Resturant located in Borger, Texas.
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Dixon Creek Hill was on a road to that sandy creek,
That we all rode on a thousand times as fun we did seek.
There was a good place to park in mesquites at night,
When we had a hot date that was feeling so right.
Scene looking east driving down Dixon Creek Hill in Phillips. Part of Dixon Creek is visible.
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Coble Lease was a part of Phillips that I knew well,
Because my aunt, uncle, and cousins there did dwell.
I spent a lot of my life running with my cousins there,
Young people growing up together doing all we did dare.
My Cousin Scott and his dog Pickle in his front yard in the Coble Lease Area on Hummel Street.
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By Bill
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Thanks for reading Memories Of Phillips,
Bill