Saginaw in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Saginaw Oil Industry

Photographed By John Garman, August 26, 2020

1. Saginaw Oil Industry Marker

Inscription. “Oil men optimistic as first well shot, shows results,” reported the August 29, 1925, edition of the Saginaw News. Michigan’s first oil field had been discovered the previous week at this site, known as Deindorfer Woods. The Saginaw Prospecting Company drilled well “Number One” and discovered oil at a depth of 1,873 feet. The well, initially yielded twenty-three barrels of crude oil per day. The discovery immediately drew the attention of the Standard Oil and the Sun Oil Companies who sent scouts to Saginaw. By the turn of the twenty-first century, Michigan oil and gas exploration and production expanded to sixty-three counties and produced one-fifth of the petroleum energy the state consumed.

Erected 2001 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S671.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1925.

Location. 43° 26.648′ N, 83° 57.882′ W. Marker is in Saginaw, Michigan, in Saginaw County. Marker is on Weiss Street, half a mile east of Bay Street (State Route 84), on the left when traveling east. Located in Deindorfer Woods Park.

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The entrance to the park is off of Barnard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Weiss St, Saginaw MI 48602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bliss Park (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bliss Park Soldiers Fountain Figure (approx. 1.2 miles away); Saginaw Club (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Hoyt Library (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Saginaw (approx. 1.7 miles away); First Congregational Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Saginaw Post Office (approx. 1.7 miles away); Jeffers Park (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saginaw.

Additional commentary.
1. First drilling "at Saginaw"
While Michigan's first oil field was discovered in 1925, drilling for oil "at Saginaw" first started in 1912 by the Saginaw Valley Development Company.
— Carlson, C. G. (1929). Geology of the Saginaw Oil Field, Michigan, and Discussion of Michigan's Oil Prospects. In S. Powers (Ed.) Structure of Typical American Oil Fields (Vol. 1, p. 105). American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

— Submitted September 14, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

Photographed By John Garman, August 26, 2020

2. Saginaw Oil Industry Marker

The entrance to the park, off of Barnard Street, can be seen in the background.

Saginaw Oil Industry Marker in Deindorfer Woods Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Garman, August 26, 2020

3. Saginaw Oil Industry Marker in Deindorfer Woods Park

A view looking east. The Saginaw VA Medical Center can be seen in the background.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 28, 2021

4. Saginaw Oil Industry Marker

Marker as seen from near westbound Weiss Street (at the far right of the photo).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 611 times since then and 164 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 4. submitted on September 14, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.