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Geography & Places
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Not Iran: The Clever Naming Secret of a West Texas Oil Town
Discover the charming origin of Iraan, a West Texas oil town. Often mispronounced, its name isn't linked to a foreign country but is a clever combination of its founders' names: Ira and Anne Yates. A simple tribute hides in plain sight.
A Name That Turns Heads
Driving through the sparse, rugged landscape of West Texas, a highway sign bearing the name "Iraan" might give you pause. For the uninitiated, the mind immediately leaps to the Middle Eastern country of Iran. It's a common, if incorrect, assumption that has followed the small Pecos County town for decades. But the true origin of its name has nothing to do with international geopolitics and everything to do with a simple, heartfelt tribute to the couple who put it on the map.
From Ranchland to Riches
The story of Iraan begins with Ira and Anne Yates, ranchers trying to make a living on a vast, arid stretch of land that was considered nearly worthless. For years, they struggled. That all changed in 1926 when a wildcat oil well, the Ira G. Yates 1-A, erupted, gushing black gold and revealing the true wealth beneath their feet. This discovery opened up the massive Yates Oil Field, one of the most productive in United States history, and triggered an explosive oil boom. A town sprung up almost overnight to support the thousands of workers flocking to the area, and it needed a name.
A Tale of Two Names
Instead of choosing a conventional name, the community opted for a personal one. The town was christened "Iraan," a clever portmanteau of its founders' first names: Ira and Anne. It’s a beautifully simple origin story hidden behind a name that causes constant confusion. As anyone from the area will tell you, the correct pronunciation is "Ira-Ann," a fact that residents often have to clarify.
I lived about an hour from there. It is indeed Ira-Ann. It's always amusing to hear outsiders try to pronounce it 'eye-RAN' when they first see the sign.
This linguistic quirk is a core part of the town's identity, a local inside joke shared by those who know the charming story of Ira and Anne Yates.
More Than Just Oil
Beyond its famous name and oil-rich history, Iraan boasts another unique claim to fame. For a time, it was home to cartoonist V.T. Hamlin. Inspired by the fossil discoveries and the geological landscape of the Yates Oil Field, Hamlin created the iconic prehistoric comic strip character, Alley Oop. The town fully embraces this legacy, calling itself "Alley Oop-Land" and even featuring a park dedicated to the caveman character. It adds another layer of quirky, fascinating history to a town born from a love story and an oil gusher.
So the next time you see Iraan on a map, you'll know the secret. It's not a misplaced piece of the Middle East, but a testament to a ranching couple whose legacy is written not just in oil, but in the very name of the community they founded.