Big Lake in Reagan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

John H. Reagan

This County Named in 1903 For

— (First Chairman of Railroad Commission of Texas) —

John H. Reagan Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, May 26, 2018

1. John H. Reagan Marker

Inscription.

John H. Reagan. This County Named in 1903 For. , As congressman, 1876-1887, sponsored bill creating Interstate Commerce Commission; resigned 1891 from United States Senate to head newly-formed Railroad Commission, modeled after I.C.C., and created to regulate shipping rates and practices., In his term, 1891-1903, railway transportation of petroleum became important in Texas, the Commission was given jurisdiction in 1917 over pipelines. This led to formation of the oil and gas division., The Legislature made the Commission responsible in 1919 for oil and gas conservation. Probation began in 1920s. Complete regulation came in the 1930s with 1,700,000-barrel-a-day production in East Texas., Commission policies were acclaimed when in World War II Texas was able to supply the allies with great stores of oil necessary for victory., The Commission's goal is to prevent waste and protect oil and gas reserves by orderly regulation of exploration, production and transportation., Such men as chairman Reagan have set high ethical standards that have continued in the Commission, causing it to merit the confidence of the people and of the petroleum industry., (See other side for names of all commission members), Inscribed on back of marker: Members of the Railroad Commission of Texas , John H. Reagan 1891-1903 , Wm. P. McLean 1891-1894 , L. L. McForster 1891-1895 , L. J. Storey 1894-1909 , N. A. Steadman 1895-1897 , Allison Mayfield 1897-1923 , O. B. Colquitt 1903-1911 , Wm. D. Williams 1909-1916 , John L. Wortham 1911-1913 , Earle B. Mayfield 1913-1923 , Charles H. Hurdleston 1916-1918 , Clarence E. Gilmore 1919-1929 , N. A. Nabors 1923-1925 , W. M. W. Splawn 1923-1924 , C. V. Terrell 1924-1939 , Lon A. Smith 1925-1941 , Pat M. Neff 1929-1932 , Ernest O. Thompson 1932-1965 , Jerry Sadler 1939-1942 , Olin Culberson 1941-1961 , Beauford Jester 1942-1947 , Wm. J. Murray Jr. 1947-1963 , Ben Ramsey 1961- , Jim C. Langdon 1963- , Byron Tunnell 1965- , Chairmen, Incise in base: Commemorative series on Texas Railroad Commission. Erected in Cooperation with Abell-Hangar Foundation, 1966.

As congressman, 1876-1887, sponsored bill creating Interstate Commerce Commission; resigned 1891 from United States Senate to head newly-formed Railroad Commission, modeled after I.C.C., and created to regulate shipping rates and practices.

In his term, 1891-1903, railway transportation of petroleum became important in Texas, the Commission was given jurisdiction in 1917 over pipelines. This led to formation of the oil and gas division.

The Legislature made the Commission responsible in 1919 for oil and gas conservation. Probation began in 1920s. Complete regulation came in the 1930s with 1,700,000-barrel-a-day production in East Texas.

Commission policies were acclaimed when in World War II Texas was able to supply the allies with great stores of oil necessary for victory.

The Commission's goal is to prevent waste and protect oil and gas reserves by orderly regulation of exploration, production and transportation.

Such men as chairman Reagan have set high ethical standards that have continued in the Commission, causing it to merit the confidence of the people and of the petroleum industry.

(See other side for names of all commission members)

Inscribed on back of marker: Members of the Railroad Commission of Texas
* John H. Reagan 1891-1903
Wm. P. McLean

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

1891-1894
L. L. McForster 1891-1895
* L. J. Storey 1894-1909
N. A. Steadman 1895-1897
*Allison Mayfield 1897-1923
O. B. Colquitt 1903-1911
Wm. D. Williams 1909-1916
John L. Wortham 1911-1913
Earle B. Mayfield 1913-1923
Charles H. Hurdleston 1916-1918
* Clarence E. Gilmore 1919-1929
N. A. Nabors 1923-1925
W. M. W. Splawn 1923-1924
* C. V. Terrell 1924-1939
* Lon A. Smith 1925-1941
* Pat M. Neff 1929-1932
* Ernest O. Thompson 1932-1965
Jerry Sadler 1939-1942
* Olin Culberson 1941-1961
* Beauford Jester 1942-1947
* Wm. J. Murray Jr. 1947-1963
* Ben Ramsey 1961-
Jim C. Langdon 1963-
Byron Tunnell 1965-
* Chairmen

Incise in base: Commemorative series on Texas Railroad Commission. Erected in Cooperation with Abell-Hangar Foundation, 1966.

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2785.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.

Location. 31° 11.486′ N, 101° 27.696′ W. Marker is in Big Lake, Texas, in Reagan County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 67 and North Main Avenue, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 67. Marker is located in front of the Big

Photographed By Brian Anderson, May 26, 2018

2. John H. Reagan Marker

Martin-Castillo Expedition markers is on the right. John H. Reagan marker is on the left.

Lake Chamber of Commerce. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 North Main Avenue, Big Lake TX 76932, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Martin-Castillo Expedition (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named John H. Reagan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Big Lake (approx. one mile away); Stiles Cemetery (approx. 14.9 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.