How an agricultural industry was born

During the winter is a great time to do massive clean-out projects. That is exactly what I began doing early in January. It is amazing what is found in drawers and cabinets that has been ignored for a number of years. I loaded bags of trash, bags of items to give away, and reorganized too many ‘treasures’ that will probably go out the door in years to come.

One very interesting item I discovered was a page from Progressive Farmer Magazine (Sept. 1969). It is the story of how Olney’s crop dusting industry started. The following are ‘excerpts’ from the article written by Romaine Smith, 1969: Snow said,”I grew up in this area where there are more agricultural airplane operators per square mile than any other place in the United States.” This is how he developed such an early fascination for airplanes. Daily he saw them, touched them and talked with men who flew them, dusting cotton, fruits, and vegetables.

As stated in the 1969 article, “At 38, Snow is general manager of the Olney Aero Commander Division of North American Rockwell Corporation. It is interesting to follow the progress of this young man who has come so far in so short a time.

There are perhaps three major reasons: 1) Snow knew what he wanted to do. 2) he trained himself to do it, and 3) he courageously and determinedly pursued his dream. A town believed in the young man and offered him his chance. Each has been good for the other—the town for Snow and Snow for the town.”

He wanted to locate in north Texas where he could work closely with FAA officials in Ft. Worth in order to complete certification of his airplane.

Olney attracted his attention because of its good airport facilities and its progressive, forward- looking people.

Snow came to Olney in January 1958, set up a small operation in a hanger at the local airport, completed certification and delivered his first airplane later that year.

The Olney Industrial Foundation built the original production facilities, and Snow moved into it in 1959. “We got production under way and the company has averaged building and selling 50 airplanes a year,” Snow said.

Smith continued, “The first airplanes were powered by 240-horsepower engines. Horsepower has now been stepped up to 600. List price of today’s airplane (1969) is $39,500.

In November, 1965, the company sold to Rockwell Standard Corp. and became the Olney Division of Aero Commander. Snow was made general manager of the local plant and a vice president in the Aero Commander Division of Rockwell Standard. In 1967, Rockwell Standard merged with North American Aviation to become North American Rockwell.

Through the Industrial Foundation, which was first organized to help Snow, other industries have been brought into the area, including Haggar Slacks Company, which employs 160 people at its Olney plant.

Mayor John E. Horany said, ‘When a rural community grows and prospers, all its citizens share in the reward.’ ” Fast Forward to Jan. 2023: Olney’s Air Tractor Inc. continues to grow and recently celebrated its accomplishment of its Serial No.1,000 AT-802. The agricultural industry is still alive and going strong in Olney, Texas.