Anderson's First Gas Well

John Porter – Driller

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 5, 2023

1. Anderson's First Gas Well Marker post

Inscription. Near this site, on land donated by John Hickey, the discovery of natural gas on March 31, 1887 ushered Anderson into the Gas Boom Era. A well 847 feet deep gushed forth the plentiful fuel that changed an ordinary town into a center of industry, invention, and transportation. Within a decade, whirring machinery, blazing furnaces, and stately business blocks and residences proclaimed Anderson as “Queen City of the Indiana Gas Belt.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1887.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 5.886′ N, 85° 40.741′ W. Marker was in Anderson, Indiana, in Madison County. Marker was on Meridian Street north of East 19th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1804 Meridian St, Anderson IN 46016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Anderson Street Railway (approx. ¼ mile away); Remy Electric Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Paramount Theatre (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First Methodist Church in Anderson Was Built Here (approx. half a mile away); Anderson Carnegie Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); Public Square

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.6 miles away); Madison County Veterans' Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Historic West Eighth Street (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anderson.

Also see . . . History: Anderson gas well sunk in 1887. The progress of the drilling was watched patiently by the people; daily measurements were taken and announced through the press of the depth to which the drill had penetrated. (Stephen Jackson, The Herald Bulletin, Feb. 7, 2009) (Submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photographs of reinstalled or replacement marker. • Can you help?