Historic Midland

CAMPBELL
CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY
❖
Dick Campbell.
Campbell Construction
began in March 1984,
when Midland’s economy
was reeling.
People were working
on existing buildings to
try to hold their tenants,
and this was where
Campbell found its niche.
Mr. Campbell had
grown up in Midland, and
received his degree in
architecture at the
University of Oklahoma in
1965. He worked for John
Portman and Associates of
Atlanta for eight years as
onsite supervisor during
the construction of
Atlanta’s Apparel Mart, the
$72 million Bonaventure
Hotel in Los Angeles, and
the Fort Worth National
Bank Building.
During this period he
realized he really enjoyed
construction. He came
back to Midland and
worked for HBF, then
went into business for
himself. Campbell
Construction’s first major
project was the renovation
of the old Gulf Building in
downtown Midland. Then
came the remodeling of Physicians &
Surgeons Hospital, the renovation of Angelo
State University’s Academic Building, the
remodeling of the Ector County administration
building, and the Midland International
Airport Terminal building remodel and
roof renovation.
In 1990, the company built an addition to the
Haley Library and Museum. In 1991 came renovations
to the Ector County coliseum,
remodeling of the Meridian Oil (now
Burlington Resources) buildings and Sam
Houston Elementary.
In 1993, Campbell did the Midland County
Library expansion and renovation, the Mabee
Aquatic Center and Parker & Parsley’s (now
Pioneer Natural Resources) headquarters, in the
old First National Bank Building.
By the end of 1996, Campbell Construction’s
projects numbered more than 125, at a cumulative
cost of just under $100 million. The company
had built a reputation for excellence during
the hard times, and during good times,
Midlanders remembered.
Richard Campbell, asked how a relatively
young company could compile such a record
of successes through a period of tough times,
is characteristically low-key. “I grew up in
Midland,” he explained. “People have certain
expectations, and I can’t and won’t let
them down.”
120 ✦ HISTORIC MIDLAND