Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Earl George Rodman, Sr. and William Douglas Noel
Photographed By Kayla Harper, August 23, 2020
1. Earl George Rodman, Sr. and William Douglas Noel Marker
Earl George Rodman, Sr. (1896–1976) and William Douglas Noel (1914–1987) brought the petrochemical industry to Odessa. Rodman and Noel came together in 1946 to form the Odessa Natural Gasoline Company and enjoyed major success as their venture matured. While both men had previous experience in the petroleum industry, their backgrounds differed considerably. After serving in WWI, Rodman married Fay Louis Hummel and began working for Dunigan Tool and Supply Company in 1923. He and his family moved to McCamey in 1926 to establish a branch of Dunigan tools. Later, Rodman opened his first oil field in 1935, which led to additional work in development of oil reservoirs in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Noel graduated from the University of Texas in 1935, and entered the world of petroleum as a roustabout. He moved to Wickett in 1936 as a chemist for Gulf Oil and married Ellen Witwer a year later. In 1940, he set out to form Trebol Oil Company with colleagues M.H. McWhirter and J.B. Tubb and found immediate success with drilling in west Texas. Upon meeting Rodman, Noel and he began a partnership in 1946 which caused Noel to move to Odessa in 1947. After the formation of Odessa Natural Gasoline Company, the two men expanded their venture in 1954 to explore ways to efficiently and profitably utilize wasted natural gas. Their
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Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18245.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 31° 51.005′ N, 102° 22.236′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker is on North Grant Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 N Grant Avenue, Odessa TX 79761, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Odessa Petrochemical Complex (a few steps from this marker); World's First Championship Jackrabbit Roping (approx. ¼ mile away); The Jackrabbit (approx. ¼ mile away); Ector County Public Schools (approx. ¼ mile away); Odessa (approx. ¼ mile away); The Waddell Pecan Tree (approx. ¼ mile away); Ector County Newspapers (approx. ¼ mile away); Ector County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.
Photographed By Kayla Harper, August 23, 2020
2. Earl George Rodman, Sr. and William Douglas Noel Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
