Luling in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Welcome to Rafael Rios Park

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

1. Welcome to Rafael Rios Park Marker

Inscription.

Welcome to Rafael Rios Park. . On August 9, 1922 the trajectory of Luling changed forever when oil was discovered 6 miles northwest of town on a 126 acre plot of land named "El Rancho", which was owned by Mexican immigrant Rafael Rios, Sr. The Rafael Rios #1 discovery well opened up an oil field 12 miles long by 2 miles wide and Luling grew from 1500 people to 5,000 almost overnight, making it one of the 12 biggest oil fields in the U.S. A ceremony attended by many of his descendants was held in August 2016, to officially rename this space "Rafael Rios Park"., Captions , Lower Left: Rafael Rios, a compassionate man with a generous heart, migrated from Mexico at the age of 13 in 1867. It is said that he and his brother Fermin purchased 126 acres each on the steps of the Caldwell County Courthouse in 1887 for a total of $1,386.00. "El Rancho", was located 6 miles northwest of Luling in the Stairtown area and has become famous for its role in the discovery of the Luling oil fields. Edgar B. Davis once told him "today you are driving a carriage with horses, but in a few months you will be driving a car." He also advised Rafael that "there will be many men around who will want to buy your land and your leases but do not ever sell your oil rights" advice that was passed down to many generations of descendants. , Middle Right: The site before Luling Main Street decided to beautify this blighted spot in 2006. The architectural design staff at the Texas Historical Commission helped with design plans. , Lower Right: The Rafael Rios #1 discovery well was the 7th and final attempt to find oil in the Edwards Limestone formation by Edgar B Davis and his newly formed United North South Oil Co. Geologists' opinions were mixed on the prospects of a true producer in this area, but Mr. Davis's nagging intuition paid off when at a depth of 2161 ft., oil began to flow freely. Rafael Rios #1 averaged 100 barrels a day over a span of 8 decades until it was capped In January of 2001. Its discovery has led prospectors to produce 156,588,000 million barrels over the lifetime of the Luling oil patch to date.

On August 9, 1922 the trajectory of Luling changed forever when oil was discovered 6 miles northwest of town on a 126 acre plot of land named "El Rancho", which was owned by Mexican immigrant Rafael Rios, Sr. The Rafael Rios #1 discovery well opened up an oil field 12 miles long by 2 miles wide and Luling grew from 1500 people to 5,000 almost overnight, making it one of the 12 biggest oil fields in the U.S. A ceremony attended by many of his descendants was held in August 2016, to officially rename this space "Rafael Rios Park".

Captions
Lower Left: Rafael Rios, a compassionate man with a generous heart, migrated from Mexico at the age of 13 in 1867. It is said that he and his brother Fermin purchased 126 acres each on the steps of the Caldwell County Courthouse in 1887 for a total of $1,386.00. "El Rancho", was located 6 miles northwest of Luling in the Stairtown area and has become famous for its role in the discovery of the Luling oil fields. Edgar B. Davis once told him "today you are driving a carriage with horses, but in a few months you will be driving a car." He also advised Rafael that "there will be many men around who will want to buy your land and your leases but do not ever sell your oil rights" advice that was passed down to many generations of descendants.
Middle Right: The site before Luling Main Street decided to beautify this blighted spot in 2006. The architectural design staff at the Texas Historical Commission helped with design plans.
Lower Right: The Rafael Rios #1 discovery well was the 7th and final attempt to find oil in the Edwards Limestone formation by Edgar B Davis and his newly formed United North South Oil Co. Geologists' opinions were mixed on the prospects of a true producer in this area, but Mr. Davis's nagging intuition paid off when at a depth of 2161 ft., oil began to flow freely. Rafael Rios #1 averaged 100 barrels a day over a span of 8 decades until it was capped In January of 2001. Its discovery has led prospectors to produce 156,588,000 million barrels over the lifetime of the Luling oil patch to date.

Erected by Luling

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Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1922.

Location. 29° 40.879′ N, 97° 39.014′ W. Marker is in Luling, Texas, in Caldwell County. It is at the intersection of East Davis Street and Pecan Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Davis Street. The marker is located in the central section of the Rafael Rios Park. 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 the 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 walking distance of this marker: City of Luling (within shouting distance of this marker); James Raleigh Mackey (about

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

2. Welcome to Rafael Rios Park Marker

400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert "Skip" Rutherford (about 400 feet away); Welcome to Heritage Circle... (about 400 feet away); Emory D. Bellard (about 400 feet away); Sgt. James M. Logan (about 400 feet away); First Presbyterian Church of Luling (about 600 feet away); The Wright Building (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luling.

The view of the Welcome to Rafael Rios Park Marker from the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

3. The view of the Welcome to Rafael Rios Park Marker from the park

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 971 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.