BUILT ON OIL

The discovery of oil in the surrounding area has perhaps made the biggest impact on the community of Andrews, the only incorporated town in a county that bears the same name. Established around 1908, Andrews experienced its first oil boom when the Deep Rock Oil Company drilled and struck a major well, just in time for the stock market crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression. Despite the economic downturn, the need for oil during World War ll made production essential, thus oil drilling continued through the 1940s before another drop in the industry occurred, leading Andrews oil production through a thirty-year period of anemic growth. But when there’s a bust there will also most likely be a boom and the 1980s saw Andrews rank among the leading counties in the state in annual oil production, valued at over a billion dollars by 1982.

In addition to working hard in the oil fields, the Andrews community also likes to have fun. The Andrews annual Chambers Banquet always features musical talent, dinner and dancing. Springtime means rodeo for Andrews, sponsor of the Wild, Wild West Fest featuring tractor pulls, a BBQ Cook-off, mounted shooting, country music entertainment, and a carnival. Halloween highlights the Safe Spot Trick or Treat & Halloween Carnival and the holiday season features Holly Jolly Weekend Christmas Marketplace & Chow Down.