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

Cottle No. 1

First Natural Gas Well in Shackelford County

— (2 miles NE) —

Cottle No. 1 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 29, 2014

1. Cottle No. 1 Marker

Inscription. The appearance in 1908 of oil and gas in water wells in this vicinity prompted the Texas Company (later Texaco, Inc.) In June 1909 to begin leasing large tracts of land. After a surface geological survey, a wooden derrick complete with cable tools and steam engine was erected by contractor F.J. Winston on a prospective location on the Jim Cottle Ranch and on Sept. 23, 1909, drilling operations began. Equipment breakdowns were frequent and sometimes lengthy, but finally, on Nov. 9, 1910, after 13 months of drilling, the Cottle No. 1 struck natural gas at a depth of 2660 feet. This discovery opened the Moran Field, and was the first commercial gas well completed in this vast west Texas area.
In the spring of 1911, gas was piped to Moran for residential and business use. Within two years (in 1913) the cities of Albany, Cisco, and Abilene were supplied for the first time with natural gas. By Oct. 1913, with five producing gas wells, the Moran Field won recognition as one of the most important sources of fossil fuels in Texas. Although the Cottle No. 1 was plugged years ago, Moran Field continues to be an economic mainstay in this area.

Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1076.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1909.

Location. 32° 32.88′ N, 99° 9.826′ W. Marker is in Moran, Texas, in Shackelford County. It is on State Highway 6 south of Post Oak Avenue (Farm to Market Road 576), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moran TX 76464, 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

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Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Moran (here, next to this marker); Granville E. Waters (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moran Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moran Church of Christ (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ibex (approx. 9½ miles away); Dothan Cemetery (approx. 11 miles away); Hittson Ranch Headquarters on Battle Creek (approx. 11½ miles away); Military Telegraph Line (approx. 12.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moran.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Burkett Pecan Tree (was approx. 11.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Moran and Cottle No. 1 Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 29, 2014

2. Moran and Cottle No. 1 Markers

Cottle No. 1 marker is in the center

View to North Towards Intersection of State Highway 6 and Farm to Market Road 576 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 29, 2014

3. View to North Towards Intersection of State Highway 6 and Farm to Market Road 576

View to East Across State Highway 6 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 29, 2014

4. View to East Across State Highway 6

View to South Along State Highway 6 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 29, 2014

5. View to South Along State Highway 6

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 915 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 3, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.