M K Brown Civic Center
Named for Montague Kingsmill Brown who was drawn to the Texas Panhandle by his uncle, Andrew Kingsmill, and began an adventurous life that would leave a lasting impact on this area. M.K. Brown began work as a bookkeeper for $25 a month for the White Deer Land Company and JA Ranch. He quickly advanced within the company. In the years that followed he served as assistant to Mr. Hobart in the management of White Deer Lands and the JA Ranch near Clarendon, Texas. Later he was a co-manager of the White Deer Company along with Mr. C.P. Buckler. White Deer Lands comprised a major portion of the counties of Gray, Carson, Hutchinson and Roberts, and was an important developer of the Texas Panhandle. When the company had sold all its land 1957, Mr. Brown purchased the office building located at 116 S. Cuyler Street in Pampa, and later began developing it as an area museum of history. Today it houses historical and other artifacts of the area, and is known as the White Deer Land Museum. It was completed after his death in 1964 and stands as a monument to another of his many philanthropies. M.K. Brown became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1915. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Scottish Rite, and a charter member of the Pampa Rotary Club. He was also a member of Pampa's first Masonic Lodge and served as a Master Mason more than 50 years. He was mayor of Pampa from 1913 to 1915, and was president of the Pampa Chamber of Commerce and Board of City Development in 1928. He was a stockholder and director of Southwestern Investment Co. for 33 years. He was elected a Life Member of Panhandle Plains Historical Society, and was a member of the Pampa Genealogical and Historical Society. He was the recipient of the coveted Silver Beaver Award from the Adobe Walls Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and is the only person ever to receive the title of "Chief Scout" of the Adobe Walls Council, its highest honor. Through his generous contributions, the Adobe Walls Council Service Center was built in Pampa, as well as the Scout camp near Mobeetie, Texas. The camping facility was named "Camp M.K. Brown" in his honor.
A much-needed bridge across Red Deer Creek on Sumner Street in Pampa was built by Mr. Brown and given to the City of Pampa and Gray County. It is located near the auditorium which was built by the M.K. Brown Foundation and dedicated April 23, 1972, and called M.K. Brown Memorial Auditorium and Civic Center.