HISTORY OF WILBARGER COUNTY FARM BUREAUWilbarger County Farm Bureau was first organized in 1944 under the leadership of L.E.
Key, president, as an independent farmer's organization and continued to operate as such
until 1949. The first economic service offered was Blue Cross/Blue Shield hospitalization
insurance. The Wilbarger County Farm Bureau Federation was chartered in June 1949 in
Vernon, Texas. The organization was formed to promote scientific education through
individual farm demonstration, community and county meetings for lectures and public
discussion of agriculture. The first official office was opened January 5,1950, at 1719 Fannin Street in a small
space rented from Jessie Zelios and Chris Jones in the front of the dining room of the
Eat Well Cafe. H.T. Cardwell, Jr. served as the agency manager. The office was equipped
with one filing cabinet, one typewriter, and one desk. On December 3, 1962, a building was bought at 1603 Cumberland in which an ice cream parlor had been operating in the front. A taxi stand and Borden milk storage occupied the rest of the building. The front part of the building was remodeled under the direction of Finley Bradley and the six offices were occupied by March 1963. In June of 1963, the back of the building was remodeled and rented to Farmers Home Administration until 1974, when FHA moved to the Agriculture Building. Farm Bureau then occupied the entire building. |