Shaped by the Oil Boom - Lester L. Boardman of Wichita Falls, Texas

1888 - 1935

The oil boom around Wichita Falls, Texas, in the 1920s and 1930s was a transformative period that reshaped the region's economy and culture. The discovery of oil in Burkburnett in 1918 marked the beginning of a frenzy of drilling and exploration that attracted investors and workers from across the country. The Burkburnett oilfield, often called "the world's wonder oil pool," quickly became a major hub of activity, with 56 drilling rigs operating just three weeks after the initial strike.¹ This rapid development led to a significant population increase, as people flocked to the area in search of fortune and opportunity. The oil boom brought wealth to the region and spurred the growth of related industries, such as service companies and well-cementing experts.²

Figure 1: Underwood & Underwood, "Where fortunes are made and lost overnight. This is the famous oil town of Burkburnett, Texas," 1920; digital image, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016647756/ : accessed 31 January 2025.

The impact of the oil boom extended beyond the immediate economic benefits. It played a crucial role in defining the cultural identity of North Texas, as towns like Wichita Falls, Electra, and Burkburnett became synonymous with oil production. The influx of people and capital transformed these communities, leading to the construction of new infrastructure and the establishment of numerous businesses.³ The oil boom also had a legacy on the region's social fabric, as the stories of pioneering oilmen and their successes became part of local lore. This period of rapid growth and change laid the foundation for the continued development of the North Texas oil industry, which would remain a vital part of the area's economy for decades to come,⁴

Lester Lee (L.L.) Boardman was born on April 28, 1888, in Chatfield, an unincorporated area in Navarro County, Texas, to Jefferson D. and Florence Shands Boardman.⁵⁶ By 1910, the Boardman family had moved to Big Spring, Howard County, Texas. In a happy coincidence, the family moved in just down the street from Lester’s future bride, Sarah Ellen Ingham.⁷⁸

Figure 2: Lester Lee Boardman. Photo from the collection of the author.

Big Spring in the early 1900s was a small town about to experience fast growth.

By 1900 Big Spring had a population of 1,255. The Big Spring Herald was founded as a weekly in 1904 and became a daily in 1928. In 1905 an opera house opened, and in 1907 the city incorporated with an aldermanic form of city government. Big Spring installed a waterworks in 1913. In 1914 the city had a hotel, three banks, and Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Christian, and Methodist churches. In 1920 Big Spring was a small city of 4,273 that served as a shipping point for livestock, cotton and small grains.⁹

In 1910, Lester did odd jobs in and around Big Spring to earn money.¹⁰ But he wasn’t content with that for long. Around the time of his marriage to Sarah Ellen Ingham,¹¹ Lester found work with the Magnolia Oil Company, moving temporarily to Dallas.¹² His bride moved temporarily to Amarillo, Texas, to live with family while Lester trained in Dallas.¹³

After he completed his training in Dallas, Lester and Ellen moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where he began his career as an agent for Magnolia Oil. In 1915, they welcomed the birth of a daughter, Lee Ellen Boardman.¹⁴ In 1917, their second daughter, Ruth Maurine Boardman, joined the young family.¹⁵

In 1920, Lester joined with his brothers, Fred and Ernest Boardman, to form their own company, the Boardman Oil Company.¹⁶ Their company opened Conoco-branded service stations, first in Wichita Falls, later throughout northwest Texas. The company grew quickly. In 1924, with the opportunity to purchase a small refinery, the Boardman brothers received a corporate charter from the State of Texas, renaming the company “Boardman Oil and Refining Co.”¹⁷

Fred and Ernest Boardman largely ran the refinery and service stations. Lester was responsible for marketing and general management of the company. Boardman Oil became an active part of Wichita Falls’ business community. The company frequently placed advertisements in the local newspapers to promote their products.

Figure 3 Ad for Boardman Oil Co. in Wichita Falls Record-Times. Image collection of the author.

In addition, Lester became active in petroleum industry issues. In November 1924, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas Independent Oil Men’s Association. The organization was created to help independent refiners compete against the larger companies.¹⁸

Lester and Ellen Boardman welcomed Lester Lawrence Boardman, their third child in their family, in October 1931.

Business continued to be good for Boardman Oil and Refining Company in 1935. During that time the Boardman brothers decided to start a separate company to join the many Wichitans in drilling for oil. In August, they received a corporate charter for Boardman Brothers, Inc., their oil exploration and drilling company.¹⁹ They obtained rights to drill on the Denton County schools lands, south of Wichita Falls, among other locations.²⁰

Figure 4: Boardman Oil station at 1002 Scott Ave, Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo collection of the author.

On 12 November 1935, Lester was involved in a serious auto accident outside of Wichita Falls. He was taken by ambulance to Wichita General Hospital where he was diagnosed with “a broken thigh bone, a badly crushed knee, and shock resulting from the accident.” Doctors were also concerned that he may have suffered internal injuries.²¹ He died from his injuries on 1 December 1935.

Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church with interment at Riverside Cemetery in services led by members of the Masonic lodge. Lester was “a former director of the Rotary Club, a member of the board of deacons at First Christian Church, Wichita Falls lodge No. 635, A.F.&A.M., of Wichita Falls commandry No. 59, Knights Templar, and of the Maskat temple Shrine. He was also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters and belonged to the Royal Arch Masons No. 202 and Royal Arch Council No. 140.”²²

Figure 5 Grave marker for Lester Lee Boardman at Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Texas. Photo by William M. Moore (c) 2009

Following Mr. Boardman’s death, Mrs. Boardman operated Boardman Oil and Refining Company for two years. In September 1937, she sold the company to J. Clyde Penrod and Guy Tanner. Mr. Tanner had previously worked at Boardman Oil.²³

1. American Oil & Gas Historical Society, "Boom Town Burkburnett," Oil Boom | Wichita Falls at War - Century America, n.d.; American Oil & Gas Historical Society, https://aoghs.org : accessed 27 January 2025

2. American Oil & Gas Historical Society, "Boom Town Burkburnett," Oil Boom.

3. Oil Boom," Century America: Midwestern State University, n.d.; http://msu.centuryamerica.org/oil-boom/ : accessed 27 January 2025.

4. "Oil Boom," Century America: Midwestern State University.

5. "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZFS-662 : Sat Nov 23 02:39:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Lester Lee Boardman, from 1917 to 1918.

6. Todd Gantt, "Chatfield, TX," Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association, n.d.; https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/chatfield-tx: accessed 27 January 2025.

7. 1910 U.S. Census, Howard County, Texas, population schedule, Big Spring, enumeration district (ED) 124, sheet 1B, visited 13, family 13, J. D. Boardman; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4450071_01013?pId=28184576: accessed 31 January 2025); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624_1562; FHL microfilm: 1375575.

8. 1910 U.S. Census, Howard County, Texas, population schedule, Big Spring, enumeration district (ED) 124, sheet 1A, visited 4, family 4, J. W. Ingham; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4450071_01012?pId=28184568: accessed 31 January 2025); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624_1562; FHL microfilm: 1375575.

9. Claudia Hazelwood and Mark Odintz, “Big Spring, TX” Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association, 1976, Updated 20 September 2023; https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/big-spring-tx: accessed 31 January 2025.

10. 1910 U.S. Census, Howard County, Texas, J. D. Boardman.

11. Eunice J. Knight, Howard County [Texas] Early Marriages, 1882-1930, self-published, n.d.; TXGenWeb Project, https://www.txgenwebcounties.net/howard/marriages/mgcf.htm: accessed 25 January 2025.

12. John F. Worley, compiler, Worley’s Directory of Dallas, Texas 1913, (Dallas, Texas: John F. Worley Directory Co.), 330: imaged, “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/5040595), image 147 of 523.

13. “Big Springs,” Fort Worth [Texas] Record-Telegram, 31 Aug 1913, page 25, column 7; imaged, “Fort Worth [Texas] Record-Telegram,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-record-telegram-sarah-ellen-i/78514965/: accessed: January 31, 2025).

14. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L81-843Z : 14 February 2020), Lee Ellen Boardman, 1915.

15. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L8B-DQW2: 14 February 2020), Ruth Maurine Boardman, 1917.

16. John F. Worley, compiler, Wichita Falls [Texas] City Directory, 1920, (Dallas, Texas: John F. Worley Directory Co.), 147: imaged “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/391567858?tid=166871782&pid=302167631698&ssrc=pt).

17. "Charters Granted”, Austin [Texas] American-Statesman, 19 Mar 1924, page 7 column 5, imaged “Austin American-Statesman,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-charters-grant/159291980/?xid=637).

18. “Oil Men Name New Officers”, The Houston [Texas] Post, 15 Nov 1924, page 3 column 1, imaged “The Houston Post,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78515145/l-l-boardman-elected-to-board-of/?xid=637).

19. “Charters Issued Wichita and Megargel Firms”, Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 7 August 1935, page 2 column 3, imaged “Times Record News,” Newspapers.com. (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-boardman-brothers-inc/145945575/).

20. “News Of The Field”, Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 8 August 1936, page 2 columns 2 and 3, imaged “Times Record News,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-news-of-the-field/159242186/).

21. “Five Injured In Collision Of Cars”, Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 13 November 1935, page 1, column 1, imaged “Times Record News,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-lester-l-boardman-auto/145944508/).

22. “Rites Today for Oil Man”, Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 3 December 1935, page 10 columns 3 and 4, imaged “Times Record News,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-lester-l-boardman-fune/145943352/).

23. “Penrod-Tanner Oil Company Born”, Wichita Falls [Texas] Times, 29 September 1938, page 7 column 2, imaged “Wichita Falls [Texas} Times,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/wichita-falls-times-sale-of-boardman-oil/145943981/).