Sinton in San Patricio County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Plymouth Oil Company and Plymouth Oilers
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022
1. Plymouth Oil Company and Plymouth Oilers Marker
Pennsylvania-based Plymouth Oil Company was founded in 1923 by M.L. "Mike" Benedum (d. 1959). With operations headquarters in Sinton, the company profoundly affected the city's development by creating jobs, building company housing, and providing health and retirement benefits for many local workers.In 1933 Plymouth began leasing vast amounts of property in the area and in 1935 discovered oil on the Welder Ranch with completion of Welder Well C-1. In 1937 the company's second major discovery in San Patricio County was the Brigham Well No. 1 in the East White Point Field South of Taft.
In 1949 company executive W.M. "Mike" Griffith (d. 1954) organized the semi-professional Plymouth Oilers baseball team, providing a tremendous boost to the Sinton area. The company hired proven players as permanent employees and employed college athletes during the summers. The team's games at company-built Oiler Park were major community events. The team won state, national, and world semi-pro championships in 1951. The baseball team played until 1957, and the company operated until 1962, when it was purchased by Ohio Oil Company, later
this page online
Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4059.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 28° 2.367′ N, 97° 30.636′ W. Marker is in Sinton, Texas, in San Patricio County. Marker is on North Rachal Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Rachal Avenue, Sinton TX 78387, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Odem Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Sinton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courthouses of San Patricio County (approx. 0.3 miles away); San Patricio County World War I Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Paul (approx. 4.9 miles away); Sodville Community (approx. 5.3 miles away); Welder Ranch (approx. 7.2 miles away); White Point / Rosita (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sinton.
Also see . . .
1. Plymouth Oil Company - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
2. Plymouth Oilers - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022
2. Plymouth Oil Company and Plymouth Oilers Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
