Mexia in Limestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mexia Oil Boom
Photographed by QuesterMark, September 1, 2018
1. Mexia Oil Boom Marker
One of great free-wheeling oil booms of America -- before proration was enforced. Population in Mexia increased from 4,000 to 50,000 within days after oil discovery in 1920 at Rogers No. 1 Well, located 1.6 miles west of this marker, just off FM Road 1633.
Earlier (in 1912), Blake Smith and other Mexia men had brought in gas field. Believing oil also could be found here, they interested a veteran operator flamboyant wildcatter A. E. Humphreys -- who struck oil at 3,105 feet. By May 1921 gushers were flowing. Humphreys had 2,000 men; did a $4,000,000 business. His fortune later was estimated at $37,000,000.
The boom was on. Other companies were formed. A second renowned wildcatter, J. K. Hughes, shared the leadership in developing the field to capacity.
Millionaires, merchants, celebrities, operators and workers swarmed to Mexia for a share in the "Black Gold." Many undesirables came also, and one day were ousted by the thousands by Texas Rangers. In 1920-1921 first boom year, $5,000,000 went into construction; tanks for over 30 million barrels of oil were built; but even so storage area was inadequate for output.
A park and clubhouse developed near this site by Col. Humphreys - mementos of boom - are still in use.
(1967)
Erected 1967 by State
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1921.
Location. 31° 39.698′ N, 96° 29.975′ W. Marker is in Mexia, Texas, in Limestone County. It is on SH 14, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mexia TX 76667, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Dunbar High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); St. Paul Industrial College (approx. 1½ miles away); Town Named for Gen. Jose Antonio Mexia (approx. 1.6 miles away); St. John's A.M.E. Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); L. P. Smith House (approx. 1.8 miles away); The First Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Origin of the Texas State Teachers Association (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mexia.
Photographed by QuesterMark, September 1, 2018
2. Mexia Oil Boom Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2020, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,661 times since then and 164 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2020, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
