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
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. Marker 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.
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
this page online
More about this marker. It is across the road from the Little Kanawha River at the confluence of Sand Fork.
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 211 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
