Gilbertown in Choctaw County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

First Oil Well In Alabama

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

1. First Oil Well In Alabama Marker

Inscription. On January 2, 1944, the State of Alabama granted Hunt Oil Company a permit to drill the A.R. Jackson Well No. 1 at this location near Gilbertown. Hunt Oil Company was owned by the famous oil man, H.L. Hunt of Dallas, Texas. Drilling commenced on January 10, 1944, and was completed approximately one month later. The well struck oil at a depth of 2,580 feet in fractured Selma chalk. The discovery of this well led to the creation of the State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama in 1945, and to the development and growth of the petroleum industry in the State.

Erected 1994 by the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1976.

Location. 31° 52.159′ N, 88° 21.082′ W. Marker is in Gilbertown, Alabama, in Choctaw County. It is on Paragon Road (County Road 16) 2 miles west of State Route 17, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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Paragon Road, Gilbertown AL 36908, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Indian Trail Crossing (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Oil Well in Alabama (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sims Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Silas Elementary School (approx. 7.1 miles away); Little Place Cemetery / Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Womack Hill Community (approx. 10.2 miles away); Dyess Bridge (approx. 15.6 miles away in Mississippi).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Story of First Oil Well. (Submitted on January 17, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

First Oil Well old foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

2. First Oil Well old foundation

Additional foundation sections in the woods. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

3. Additional foundation sections in the woods.

First Oil Well In Alabama foundation & marker along Paragon Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

4. First Oil Well In Alabama foundation & marker along Paragon Road.

Similar oil derrick used at First Oil Well in Alabama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

5. Similar oil derrick used at First Oil Well in Alabama

This derrick is located in a town park in Gilbertown.

Oil pump underneath derrick in Gilbertown. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

6. Oil pump underneath derrick in Gilbertown.

Caboose in Gilbertown near typical oil derrick and pump. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 17, 2015

7. Caboose in Gilbertown near typical oil derrick and pump.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,529 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 17, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.