Phillips petroleum explosion 1989

After driving by the Philmont  Scout Ranch I was curious to learn the history of it. 


After some research, I discovered that this land was part of the Maxwell Land Grant.  After the civil war, scores of gold mines were excavated on this land and were mined into the 20th century.

Now a brief history of Waite Phillips (of Phillips Petroleum Company).  Waite Phillips came to Indian Territory in 1906, where his brothers had relocated, and he became an independent oil operator.

Before Waite Phillips became associated with Frank and L.

E. in Phillips Petroleum Company, he had set up two of his own, the Waite Phillips Company in 1922, and the Independent Oil and Gas Company, which he later sold for $25 million cash. 

After the sale, Waite Phillips devoted an increasing amount of time to real estate and charities.

His long-time dream was to become a rancher, and in 1922 he acquired more than 300,000 acres near Cimarron, New Mexico where in addition to farmi