Near Seminole in Gaines County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Oil Industry in Gaines County

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 23, 2026

1. Oil Industry in Gaines County Marker

Inscription.
The first oil lease in Gaines County was in 1912 and the first drilling occurred in 1925. Ten years later the Landreth Co. brought in the first producing well. In 1936 Amerada Oil Co. opened up the Seminole Pool, a major field that yielded 350 wells within a decade. Less than 50 years after that discovery, Gaines County had produced over one billion barrels of crude oil. With several active fields, Gaines ranks as one of the top oil producing counties in Texas. The petroleum industry accounts for much of this area's prosperity.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3683.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 32° 49.922′ N, 102° 38.467′ W. Marker is near Seminole, Texas, in Gaines County. It is on U.S. 385 0.2 miles north of County Road 116, on the right when traveling south. Located at entrance to the golf and country club. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 853 US 385, Seminole TX 79360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on

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Texas’ South Plains.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 6 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dan Cobb (approx. 7½ miles away); Seminole (approx. 7.8 miles away); Gaines County (approx. 7.8 miles away); Gaines County Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.9 miles away); a different marker also named Gaines County (approx. 7.9 miles away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 14.4 miles away).

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 23, 2026

2. Oil Industry in Gaines County Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 25 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

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