Colfax in Grant Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
The Famous Burning Well of Colfax
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, June 28, 2019
1. The Famous Burning Well of Colfax Marker
Visitors to this spot were once greeted with a curious sight, a burning well. In 1899 a driller named L. B. Hart completed an artesian well at 1,103 feet. The water was salty, and it bubbled with gas. Hart struck a match near the flow, and promptly got his beard singed when the bubbles ignited. During its lifetime, the well ebbed or flowed in response to the levels of nearby Red River. With the advent of each new eruption someone would light up this unusual landmark. Thousands of tourists remembered Colfax by the image of its famous burning well. Ripley once featured it in his "Believe It or Not" as a well that spewed both fire and water. During WWII visiting soldiers wrote back home describing this local wonder. In 1959 a new courthouse displaced the town's old attraction. An artificial fountain with a gas flame was erected, but it could not possibly evoke the awe of visitors as the real one had once done.
Erected by Grant Arts Council in memory of June Hafer Brown.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list.
Location. 31° 30.991′ N, 92° 42.766′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grant Parish and Town of Colfax (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mary E. Graham High School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Battle of Calhoun's Landing (approx. 0.9 miles away); Village of Dry Prong (approx. 11.7 miles away); Verda (approx. 13.1 miles away); Montgomery, Louisiana (approx. 14.8 miles away); LTV Aerospace Vought A-7D Corsair II (approx. 17 miles away); Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (approx. 17 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colfax.
More about this marker. Located on the western side of the Grant Parish Courthouse/Clerk Of Court building.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, June 28, 2019
2. The Famous Burning Well of Colfax Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,102 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2019.
