Kilgore in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Lou Della Crim Home

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019

1. Lou Della Crim Home Marker

Inscription. This bungalow style residence was constructed in 1920 for Lou Della (Thompson) Crim (b. 1868), on the former site of the Hearne Hotel. The farm she owned at Laird Hill (4 mi. S) was part of an oil exploration project headed by her son Malcolm, later the first Kilgore mayor, and local financier Ed Bateman. Her property gained national attention on Dec. 28, 1930, when the Bateman-Crim Wildcat Well No. 1, the discovery well for this area of the significant East Texas oil field, blew in there. Area Rangers, including the celebrated Capt. M. T. (Lone Wolf) Gonzaullas, were housed here.

Erected 1981 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9940.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is December 28, 1930.

Location. 32° 23.304′ N, 94° 52.615′ W. Marker is in Kilgore, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is on West North Street north of North Longview Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Longview Street, Kilgore TX 75662, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Kilgore I&GN-Missouri Pacific Railroad Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's Richest Acre

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(about 600 feet away); Drilling Completed, 1940 (about 600 feet away); Before 1937 Drilling Began (about 600 feet away); Removal (about 600 feet away); During Drilling (about 600 feet away); Kilgore National Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Alexander Institute (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kilgore.

Also see . . . American Oil & Gas Historical Society - Lou Della Crim Revealed. (Submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019

2. Lou Della Crim Home & Marker

Lou Della Crim Home Marker looking towards Wildcat Well #1. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019

3. Lou Della Crim Home Marker looking towards Wildcat Well #1.

1984 oil derrick dedicated to Malcolm Crim, on the property. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019

4. 1984 oil derrick dedicated to Malcolm Crim, on the property.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.