Copley in Lewis County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Copley No. 1 Well

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 30, 2021

1. Copley No. 1 Well Marker

Inscription. West Virginia’s largest producing oil well was tapped on the Copley farm by the South Penn Oil Company in September 1900. Workers could not contain the initial flow of 4,800 barrels a day, and a large volume of oil spilled into Sand Fork. Dams were constructed along that branch of the Little Kanawha, but some of the flow reached the river's mouth at Parkersburg.

Erected 2014 by Copley/Bealls Mill Community Fund, and West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1900.

Location. 38° 58.158′ N, 80° 38.891′ W. Marker is in Copley, West Virginia, in Lewis County. It is at the intersection of Copley Road (County Route 17) and Cove Lick Road (County Route 18), on the right when traveling west on Copley Road. It is 9 miles west of U.S. 19. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9008 Cove Lick Rd, Weston WV 26452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Braxton County / Gilmer County (approx. 7.1 miles away); Raid on Troy (approx. 7.2 miles away); Town of Burnsville

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 7.6 miles away); Burnsville Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); SGT David Lee Robison (approx. 7.8 miles away); Burnsville Bridge (approx. 7.9 miles away); Bright Star Park Trail (approx. 8.4 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Duck Run Cable Suspension Bridge (was approx. 8 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. It is across the road from the Little Kanawha River at the confluence of Sand Fork.

Copley No. 1 Well and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 30, 2021

2. Copley No. 1 Well and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,001 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.