Stairtown in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Rafael Rios No. 1
(Located 0.8 Mi. N, on Farm Road 671)
Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014
1. Rafael Rios No. 1 Marker
Discovery well of Luling Field, a major Texas oil area. Wildcatter E.B. Davis drilled on land owned by R. Rios. Well came in Aug. 10, 1922, after 3 dry holes had been drilled in same area. Magnolia (now Mobil) Oil Co. bought field 1926. By 1969, production was 135,000,000 barrels.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 12654.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1854.
Location. 29° 43.069′ N, 97° 43.681′ W. Marker is in Stairtown, Texas, in Caldwell County. It is at the intersection of San Marcos Highway (State Highway 80) and Stairtown Road (County Route 671), on the right when traveling east on San Marcos Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luling TX 78648, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country and in the Austin Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prairie Lea United Methodist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Burial Site of Rev. John McCullough (approx. 2.2 miles away); Dr. James Fentress (approx. 2.4 miles away); Fentress Community Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Fentress United Methodist Church (approx. 3.9
this page online
More about this marker. Inscribed on back of marker: Donated by Mobil Oil Corporation.
Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014
2. Rafael Rios No. 1 Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, February 15, 2026
3. Rafael Rios No. 1 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,039 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on February 16, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
