The ghost town of Thurber that sits on the Erath / Palo Pinto County line along I-20 was a major producer of coal and brick from 1888-1921 and the largest company town in the state of Texas.

Managers for the Texas and Pacific Coal Company often came to Thurber from the northeastern United States and their homes were sited here, hence this came to be called "New York" Hill. Their homes had picket fences, indoor plumbing, and other amenities not found in the workers' homes.

As a history buff, Janis Mills could not imagine any other name for the restaurant she and husband Lesly built.

We are grateful to the many families who have donated photographs and artifacts from the days of Thurber that we preserve and display in our main dining room. These images connect us to the those who lived and worked in this historic place.

We encourage you to visit the adjacent W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas (tarleton.edu Link Here). It is accessible to all ages and you will not be disappointed.