Near George West in McMullen County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Producing Gas Well in McMullen County and First Gas Pipeline to San Antonio
(South of Frio River, 1 mi. NE)
Photographed By Kathleen Stephenson Pierce, circa 2015
1. First Producing Gas Well in McMullen County and First Gas Pipeline to San Antonio Marker
Thirty years before the first producing gas well was drilled in this county, traces of salt water, sulphur, gas, and oil in water wells gave hints of the presence of petroleum here. For years wildcat drilling went on, but with only moderate success.
Then in 1908, a well on Charles Byrne's land began to blow warm sulphur water and gas 120 feet into the air every 8 days, arousing much interest. After this discovery, Byrne, a promoter, set out to locate capitalists to develop his petroleum deposits.
Armed with a picture of the gusher and a bottle of area oil, he attracted the attention of W.M. “Bee” Stephenson, his sons Light and Donald, and others.
The well they drilled here in 1917-1918, on the Tom Brown tract, blew in at 816 feet with 62,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas a day, but for 3 months it spewed out of control because of the intense subsurface pressure and inadequate equipment.
After other producers were drilled, W.M. Stephenson arranged to pipe gas to San Antonio, 68 miles north, in 1922. Among those joining this enterprise was H.A. Pagenkopf, Wichita Falls oil man. Thus petroleum took a leading role in the economy of McMullen County.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1854.)
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Location. 28° 28.807′ N, 98° 20.924′ W. Marker is near George West, Texas, in McMullen County. Marker is on Park Road 8 (County Route 302) 2 miles west of Richter Road when traveling north. This marker is located in Choke Canyon State Park, Calliham Unit. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Calliham TX 78007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Calliham (here, next to this marker); Yarbrough Bend (approx. 5.8 miles away); Townsite of Wentz (approx. 5.8 miles away); Site of Old Crowther Ranch (approx. 7.9 miles away); Site of Three Rivers Glass Factory (approx. 10 miles away); Rialto Theater (approx. 10.2 miles away); Three Rivers (approx. 10.2 miles away); Felix Longoria (approx. 10.2 miles away).
Also see . . . Choke Canyon State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Submitted on May 9, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Steve Henderson, May 5, 2011
2. First Producing Gas Well in McMullen County and First Gas Pipeline to San Antonio Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2011, by Steve Henderson of Marble Falls, Texas. This page has been viewed 826 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 14, 2024, by Kathleen Stephenson Pierce of San Antonio, Texas. 2. submitted on May 6, 2011, by Steve Henderson of Marble Falls, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and surrounding area. • Can you help?
