University of Texas at Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Santa Rita No. 1

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2025

1. Santa Rita No. 1 Marker

Inscription. Santa Rita No. 1 was the first producing oil well on Permanent University Fund Land's on Monday morning, May 28, 1923, it blew in to launch a new era in the development of the University of Texas and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Located on the Ollie Parker Ranch in Reagan County the well was named by its drillers for Santa Rita, the Saint of the Impossible, because of popular opinion that there was no chance of success in this location.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1923.

Location. 30° 16.806′ N, 97° 44.081′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in University of Texas at Austin. It is at the intersection of San Jacinto Blvd and Trinity Street, on the left when traveling west on San Jacinto Blvd. The marker is located west of the Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin TX 78712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

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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: The Events (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Santa Rita No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Scholz Garten (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prairies and Lakes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heman Sweatt Campus (approx. ¼ mile away); Moses Austin (approx. ¼ mile away); Remembering Courage... Dedication... Sacrifice... (approx. ¼ mile away); French Legation State Historic Site (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Also see . . . Santa Rita Oil Well. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on February 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Santa Rita No. 1 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2025

2. The Santa Rita No. 1 and Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2025

3. Santa Rita No. 1 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.