Hobbs in Lea County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hobbs Discovery Well

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

1. Hobbs Discovery Well Marker

Inscription. Following earlier oil discoveries in the Lea County area, Ronald K. DeFord, of Midwest Refining Co., now Amoco, came to Hobbs to survey for a new drilling site. Drilling began October 12, 1927, oil was discovered at 4,065 feet, and the new well produced over 500,000 barrels of oil in its lifetime. Hobbs was transformed from an unknown community into a bustling boomtown boasting many restaurants and bars, several hotels and movie theaters.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. (Marker Number 673.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Features. A significant historical date for this entry is October 12, 1927.

Location. 32° 42.28′ N, 103° 7.066′ W. Marker is in Hobbs, New Mexico, in Lea County. Marker is at the intersection of North Marland Boulevard (U.S. 62/180 at milepost 105.9) and East Snyder Street, on the right when traveling north on North Marland Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 409 N Marland Blvd, Hobbs NM 88240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oil and Gas (approx. 2.2 miles away); Llano Estacado (approx. 4.1 miles away); Hobbs (approx. 4.3 miles away);

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Hobbs Army Air Field (approx. 6.8 miles away); Hobbs 9/11 Memorial (approx. 6.9 miles away); Monument (approx. 10.3 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. First New Mexico Oil Wells. Although the Hobbs discovery came six years after the first oil production (seven years after the first natural gas well), petroleum geologists soon called it the most important single oil find in New Mexico history. (American Oil & Gas Historical Society) (Submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Ronald K. DeFord, Ph.D. (PDF). Short biography of the geologist, who was inducted into the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum's Hall of Fame in 1975. (Submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

2. Hobbs Discovery Well Marker

Hobbs, Oil Boom Town image. Click for full size.

Russell Lee, U.S. Farm Security Admin. via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), March 1940

3. Hobbs, Oil Boom Town

An isolated outpost of about 500 people when oil was discovered nearby, Hobbs' population swelled to as high as 12,000 during the boom.

Hobbs Oil Field Workers' Trailers image. Click for full size.

Russell Lee, U.S. Farm Security Admin. via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), March 1940

4. Hobbs Oil Field Workers' Trailers

The oil boom created a severe housing shortage, with workers staying in boarding houses, campers, "cot houses" and even tents.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.