Malden in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Ruffner Well

Photographed by PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

1. Ruffner Well Marker

Inscription. In 1808 David and Joseph Ruffner near here on the bank of the Kanawha completed a well into solid rock to a depth of 59 feet by a method and with drilling tools they devised, which was further developed in this valley by themselves and Billye Morris into what is now known as the cable tool method of drilling. Drilling tools and drillers from the Kanawha Valley drilled the first well for oil at Titusville, Pennsylvania.

Erected 1963 by The W. Va. Centennial Committee of the oil and natural gas industry
West Virginia Historic Commission. (Marker Number X-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 38° 18.161′ N, 81° 33.367′ W. Marker is in Malden, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. It is at the intersection of Kanawha Boulevard East (U.S. 60) and Georges Drive, on the right when traveling south on Kanawha Boulevard East. The marker is located next to the east-bound deceleration lane for Malden (Midland Trail) exit. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: Charleston WV 25306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Charleston Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rev. Ruffner's Grave (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); African Zion Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Lewis Ruffner (approx. ¼ mile away); Booker T. Washington / Malden (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Necessary Ingredient (approx. ¼ mile away); Booker T. Washington (approx. 0.3 miles away); Burning Spring Monument (approx. 2.3 miles away); Daniel Boone (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Malden.

Other markers no longer nearby. Malden / Booker T. Washington Homeplace (was

Wide view of the Ruffner Well Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by PaulwC3, August 23, 2014

2. Wide view of the Ruffner Well Marker

approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Necessary Ingredient (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . WVGES Geology: History of West Virginia Salt Industry. (Submitted on September 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Picture of the Ruffner Well site at the mouth of Campbell Creek on the Kanawha River in Port Amherst. • Can you help?