Texas Lake Country - Kilgore, Texas

Kilgore Chamber of Commerce
813 N. Kilgore St.
Kilgore, TX 75662
903-984-5022 • 866-984-0400 • Fax: 903-984-4975
email

Kilgore, located 120 miles east of Dallas off I-20, was once a quiet agricultural community of about 500 people. That simple lifestyle suddenly changed in the late 1930s when Kilgore became a thriving boomtown of 10,000 following the discovery of the largest oil field in the continental United States.

Today, visitors can take a journey back to the glorious days of the oil boom with a trip to the East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College. Dioramas, movies, and historical presentations recreate life in the 1930s oil field. Open Tues.-Sun.; closed on Mon.

Visitors can experience the fascination of the Worlds Richest Acre by viewing 13 restored oil derricks on the site. The time honored tradition of lighting the oil derricks highlights the Christmas season in Kilgore.

Visitors may also enjoy the colorful history of the internationally famous Kilgore College Rangerettes at the Rangerette Showcase Museum. The museum, located on the Kilgore College campus, is open Mon.-Sat.; closed on Sunday.

Classic Shakespeare comes to Kilgore each summer during the Texas Shakespeare Festival.

Across the street from the Van Cliburn Auditorium is the Shakespeare Garden, a 120 x 60-ft. horticultural display of plants native to Shakespeare's England. Open daily; admission is free.

For information on these and other exciting activities, contact the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce.

East Texas Oil Museum
1100 Broadway
Kilgore, TX 75662
903-983-8295 • Fax: 903-983-8600
email
This fascinating museum houses the authentic recreation of oil discovery
and production in the early 1930's in the largest oil field inside U.S. boundaries.
Open Tue. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sun. 2 - 5 p.m.

Rangerette Showcase Museum
Broadway and Ross Streets
Kilgore, TX 75662
903-983-8265
email
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4; Sat 10-4; Admission is Free
The Kilgore Rangerettes reputation for their precision and their trademark "high kick" dance routines has made them world famous fov over 60 years. The mueum tells their story through films, scrapbooks, photoraphs and costumes.

Kilgore Oil Classic Horseshoe Tournament		March 29
What:	THPA and NHPA sanctioned tournament
Where:	Kilgore City Park, North Street
Admission:	$15 per player - must be a member of THPAAND NHPA
Contact:	Terry Applegate (903) 984-2718

Party in the Patch		April 4-5
What:	Party benefiting the East Texas Treatment Center. Activities include rod run, cruise night, motorcycle show, street dance, BBQ cook off.
Where:	Kilgore City Park, North Street
Admission:	Some Events
Contact:	Merlyn Holmes (903) 984-5571

Rangerette Revels		April 9-12
What:	World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes present their annual spring variety show. Features music, dance, comedy, and the world famous high kick routine by the Rangerettes.
Where:	Dodson Auditorium, Kilgore College Campus
Admission:	Admission Charge
Contact:	KC Box Office - (903) 983-8601

Texas Shakespeare Festival		July 3-August 3
What:	Professional actors perform Shakespearean and classic plays. Performances are daily except Monday
Where:	Van Cliburn Auditorium/KC campus
Admission:	Call for pricing
Contact:	Raymond Caldwell (903) 983-8601 for times and admission

East Texas Oilman’s Chili Cook Off		November 6
What:	Teams from several states come to complete with their chili recipe. Benefiting the Kilgore Community Crisis Center
Where:	Downtown Kilgore on Commerce Street
Admission:	Admission:
Contact:	Nancy Lofton (903) 984-2377

Holiday Trail of Lights Winterfest - Mt. Kilgore Snow Hill		December 12-13
What:	Trail of Lights offers millions of lights, live entertainment, children’s activities, downtown church and merchant open house and the Mt. Kilgore snow hill.
Where:	Downtown Kilgore, Kilgore Street
Admission:	Free
Contact:	Kilgore Chamber of Commerce, (903) 984-5022