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

William Thomas Campbell

(March 7, 1859 - April 5, 1906)

Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

1. William Thomas Campbell Marker

Inscription. William Thomas Campbell secured his place among the pioneers of the modern oil industry in 1902, when he was named to the first board of directors of the Texas Company, a corporation later known the world over as Texaco. Born in Islington, England, Campbell immigrated to America at age 16 after his parents died. He trained as a printer in the newspaper trade and married Sarah Jane Turnbull in 1880 while working in Ohio. The couple soon moved to Texas and published newspapers, first in Sherman and then in Waxahachie. They moved to Lampasas and founded the Lampasas Leader in 1888. Campbell also served as an officer for the First National Bank of Lampasas and traded in grain and real estate.

Following the Spindletop oil strike near Beaumont in January 1901, former Texas Governor James S. Hogg and colleague James W. Swayne joined the rush for "black gold" and enlisted additional partners to form the Hogg-Swayne syndicate. Campbell joined the partnership and acted as its agent and general manager. The syndicate merged with several other entities in 1902 to form the Texas Company, which eventually became Texaco, Inc. In 1904, the Campbells completed Argyll Heights, a grand estate overlooking the city of Lampasas. The property featured a large mansion (destroyed by fire in 1974), gardens and gatekeeper's cottage. Campbell died at age 47 and was buried in Lampasas' Oak Hill Cemetery. As a newspaper publisher, banker and early oil tycoon, William Thomas Campbell proved instrumental in the economic development of Texas and forged a legacy that would ultimately reach around the world.

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20060.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1901.

Location. 31° 4.399′ N, 98° 10.842′ W.

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Marker is in Lampasas, Texas, in Lampasas County. It is at the intersection of East Avenue F and N Pecan Street, on the right when traveling east on East Avenue F. The marker is located in front of the Hanna Springs Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 509 E Ave F, Lampasas TX 76550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Abney Plunge (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Mary's Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hanna Springs (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Fe Depot, (approx. 0.4 miles away); Murray Kenneth Guthrie (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lampasas Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pierian Club (approx. 0.4 miles away); W.N. Huling Home, 1877 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a

The view of the William Thomas Campbell Marker along the driveway to the school image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

2. The view of the William Thomas Campbell Marker along the driveway to the school

list and map of all markers in Lampasas.

Also see . . . The History of Texaco: From Texas Company to Global Oil Leader. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Texaco, Incorporated, known for many years as the Texas Company, was founded in 1902 at Sour Lake by oilman Joseph S. Cullinan and New York investor Arnold Schlaet. In March 1901 Cullinan, with two other promoters, incorporated the Texas Fuel Company at Beaumont. Prominent investors included the Hogg-Swayne Syndicate, John W. Gates, and the Laphams of New York. The company primarily purchased and transported oil from Beaumont's Spindletop oilfield. In April 1902 the Texas Fuel Company's major investors obtained a new charter for a corporation-to be known as the Texas Company-which authorized the company to engage in storage and transportation of mineral solutions. On May 1 the Texas Fuel Company conveyed its assets to the new company and was dissolved shortly afterward. The Texas Company was initially capitalized at $3 million and almost immediately began expanding operations. It used subsidiary companies for oil production and began acquiring barges and rail tank
Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

3. The view of the William Thomas Campbell Marker looking toward the street
cars. It quickly covered new fields with leases. High production levels at two fields just outside Houston, the Sour Lake oilfield (1903) and the Humble oilfield (1905), provided the company with a secure financial base. In 1905 the Texas Company linked these two fields by pipelines to Port Arthur, ninety miles away, and built its first refinery there. That same year the company acquired an asphalt refinery at nearby Port Neches. In 1908 the company completed the ambitious venture of a pipeline from the Glenn Pool, in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), to its Southeast Texas refineries.

(Submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.