Personal Injury Law

Plainview Texas - Former Home of Peanut Corporation of America Salmonella Plant

By Bill Marler, Esq.

Well, made it from Seattle to Dallas to Lubbock to Plainview today. Had a great steak dinner at the 'Rockin' R Steak House.' They did not have a beer or wine list because they share a back door with their neighbor, the Baptist Church.  We parked across the street and had little fear of being hit by a car (or anything else) as we crossed the street.

According to Wikipedia, Plainview is located at 34°11′28″N 101°43′8″W / 34.19111°N 101.71889°W / 34.19111; -101.71889 (34.191204, -101.718806), a.k.a 'out in the middle of nowhere.' From the 2000 census, there were 22,336 people, 7,626 households, and 5,666 families residing in the city. On February 11, 2009, the Texas Department of State Health Services ordered the cessation of operations and full recall of all products produced by a Plainview-based peanut processing facility owned by Peanut Corporation of America, following the discovery of "dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers in the plant," and revelations that the plant had operated without state licensure or inspection. Notable natives:

* Lawrence McCutcheon, running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972-1979, the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 1980 and the Buffalo Bills in 1981, was born in Plainview and played football for the Plainview Bulldogs.
* Singer, actor, and sausage entrepreneur Jimmy Dean, known for his sketches with Jim Henson's Muppet Rowlf the Dog, was born in Plainview.
* James H. Clark, technology entrepreneur and founder of Netscape and other companies, was born in Plainview.
* Dave Williamson, drummer for Scurge Records artist The Lifeless Design, is from Plainview.
* The general dentist Felix Conkling Crawford (1938-2007) practiced in Plainview and was a leading figure in both the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He was also a lobbyist for the ADA.
* Lindy Williams, the lead singer of Boxing Edna and owner of RaceDayOutfitters.com, is from Plainview.
* Horse trainer Carl Nafzger, who has won the Kentucky Derby twice, in 1990 with Unbridled and in 2007 with Street Sense, was born in Plainview. He also won the 1990 Breeder's Cup Classic with Unbridled.
* Former Hale County Judge Bill Hollars, sometimes called "Hang 'em High" Hollars.

Off to see the Peanut Corporation of America plant in the morning.

Full post as published by Marler Blog on April 22, 2009 (boomark / email).