Ghost Camps, Part 2: Work, Life, Memories
By: Mycah Glover
Updated: May 10, 2012
MIDKIFF -- If you travel though Midkiff, you won't find much. But there's one thing you won't miss - the natural gas plant.
"We take raw gas from the Spraberry field and fractionate it and strip the liquids out and then the natural gas goes down another line," said Kenneth Batla, Atlas Pipeline.
The plant is now owned and operated by Atlas Pipeline, but Batla recalls the old days when this area was more than a plant . "Living here was great. You could pretty much let your kids do anything. Everybody was neighbors. Everybody knew each other. Had baseball games twice a week. It was a great life," said Batla.
John Johnson not only lived in the Midkiff camp, he's lived in camps all over Texas. "I lived in a company camp from the time I was two 'til I went into the service in 1960. My dad worked for El Paso," said Johnson.
Eventually, so did he. Johnson said, "I wan an oiler out there at first. Then I got a clerks job in the office." Johnson went on to hold one of the most important positions of all, training employees throughout the company how to stay safe.
Not only did he enjoy his job, he also enjoyed the many perks of working for El Paso Natural Gas including cost of living, which was only $25 a month.
The benefits didn't end there. Their gas was paid for. Their utilities were paid for. Even the light bulbs were free of charge.
But according to Carol Johnson, the perks didn't compare to the camp life experience.
"It was fantastic. You ask any kid that grew up in that camp or any parent that raised a kid in that camp," explained Johnson.
After receiving dozens of Facebook posts and emails, no matter what camp they lived in, looks like everyone agrees. Karen Ann Gore writes , "I am proud to have been a camp kid, and I believe I had one of the best childhood experiences any kids could ever ask for."
Nathan Rivera writes, "I would relive those years in a heart beat."
To sum it up, El Paso Natural Gas and companies like it provided more than a job and a vital service, they provided families a great life filled with great memories they'll never forget. "It was sweet, precious, fun. I loved it," said Johnson.
To reconnect with your camp friends, check out, http://www.Facebook.Com/pages/el-paso-natural-gas-plant-brats/106151276122767
Follow Mycah on Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook: MycahGlover-KMID
Twitter: @MycahGlover
"We take raw gas from the Spraberry field and fractionate it and strip the liquids out and then the natural gas goes down another line," said Kenneth Batla, Atlas Pipeline.
The plant is now owned and operated by Atlas Pipeline, but Batla recalls the old days when this area was more than a plant . "Living here was great. You could pretty much let your kids do anything. Everybody was neighbors. Everybody knew each other. Had baseball games twice a week. It was a great life," said Batla.
John Johnson not only lived in the Midkiff camp, he's lived in camps all over Texas. "I lived in a company camp from the time I was two 'til I went into the service in 1960. My dad worked for El Paso," said Johnson.
Eventually, so did he. Johnson said, "I wan an oiler out there at first. Then I got a clerks job in the office." Johnson went on to hold one of the most important positions of all, training employees throughout the company how to stay safe.
Not only did he enjoy his job, he also enjoyed the many perks of working for El Paso Natural Gas including cost of living, which was only $25 a month.
The benefits didn't end there. Their gas was paid for. Their utilities were paid for. Even the light bulbs were free of charge.
But according to Carol Johnson, the perks didn't compare to the camp life experience.
"It was fantastic. You ask any kid that grew up in that camp or any parent that raised a kid in that camp," explained Johnson.
After receiving dozens of Facebook posts and emails, no matter what camp they lived in, looks like everyone agrees. Karen Ann Gore writes , "I am proud to have been a camp kid, and I believe I had one of the best childhood experiences any kids could ever ask for."
Nathan Rivera writes, "I would relive those years in a heart beat."
To sum it up, El Paso Natural Gas and companies like it provided more than a job and a vital service, they provided families a great life filled with great memories they'll never forget. "It was sweet, precious, fun. I loved it," said Johnson.
To reconnect with your camp friends, check out, http://www.Facebook.Com/pages/el-paso-natural-gas-plant-brats/106151276122767
Follow Mycah on Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook: MycahGlover-KMID
Twitter: @MycahGlover
