Corsicana in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
American Well & Prospecting Co.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 31, 2026
1. American Well & Prospecting Co. Marker
Organized in Kansas in 1890 by Horace Greeley Johnston (1851-1930) of Ohio and Pennsylvania native Charles Rittersbacher (1857-1919). This company began as a water well drilling business. In 1891 the partners moved to Texas and began drilling in Corsicana. In 1894, while drilling on S. 12th street, they struck crude oil, which led to the discovery of the Corsicana oil field. The firm began making and distributing rotary drilling equipment in 1900. Converted to a munitions plant in World War II, the business was sold to Bethlehem Steel and operated at this site until 1959.
Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8728.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 32° 5.841′ N, 96° 27.692′ W. Marker is in Corsicana, Texas, in Navarro County. It is on North 7th Street north of E 5th Ave, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 N 7th St, Corsicana TX 75110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. 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: James Emerson Whiteselle (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Independent Baptist Church of Corsicana (approx. 0.2 miles away); Corsicana Newspapers (approx. Ό mile away); Alexander Beaton (approx. Ό mile away); Wolf Brand Chili (approx. Ό mile away); Hashops Drug Store (approx. Ό mile away); Kent Rogers, M.D. (approx. Ό mile away); The Molloy Hotel (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corsicana.
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Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 31, 2026
2. American Well & Prospecting Co. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
