Historical Markers in Texas

The Birthplace of the Petroleum Industry

History·Navarro County·Texas

West of the Mississippi River. In this well, drilled by H. G. Johnston, E. H. Akin, and Charles Rittersbacher under contract for a water well for the city of Corsicana in 1894, the first oil in commercial quantities in the mid-continent area was discovered at 1035 feet.

Getting there

32.0878, -96.4653

Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.

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