Burning Springs in Wirt County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Rathbone Well

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

1. Rathbone Well Marker

Inscription. The first well in West Virginia drilled solely for petroleum was located near the mouth of Burning Springs Run. The well was drilled with a “spring pole” by the Rathbones and others from Parkersburg, begun in 1859 completed May 1860. Produced at the rate of 100 barrels per day. In 1863 General Jones commanding Confederate forces set fire to the oil stored in tanks, barrels and boats, destroying in a day an estimated 300,000 barrels of oil.

Erected 1963 by W, VA. Centennial Committee of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry, West Virginia Historic Commission.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1860.

Location. 38° 59.511′ N, 81° 19.187′ W. Marker is in Burning Springs, West Virginia, in Wirt County. Memorial is on Little Kanawha Parkway (West Virginia Route 5) 0.9 miles north of Straight Creek-Burning Spring Road (County Route 24), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elizabeth WV 26143, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Burning Springs Oil Field (a few steps from this marker); Destruction of Oil Works (a few steps from

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this marker); Population Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ruble Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Murder of William B. Dulin (approx. 3 miles away); Buffalo Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Historical Elizabeth (approx. 6.4 miles away); Wirt County Honor Roll (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burning Springs.

Also see . . . The Rathbone Well. e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia (Submitted on May 6, 2014.)

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

2. Rathbone Well Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

3. Rathbone Well Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

4. Rathbone Well Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

5. Rathbone Well Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

6. Rathbone Well Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 866 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 6, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.