Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ector County's First Dry Hole

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015

1. Ector County's First Dry Hole Marker

Inscription. Drilled in 1924 near this site. Geologists were forecasting oil and urgently needed potash, but Pennsylvania experts (using a chilled shop core drill) gave up the well at 900 feet, on "Red Bed" Rock--A substance new to them. Loss in this and a second drilling was $150,000.

In 1927 a well was brought in just west of Odessa, and in a few years oil was found within yards of the first dry hole. By 1964 Ector County had 9,600 oil and 22 gas wells. However, the U.S. average is 8 dry holes out of 9 wells such as that drilled here in 1924.

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1384.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 31° 51.724′ N, 102° 20.802′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. It is on North Grandview Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is facing East at a small strip center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 911 N Grandview Ave, Odessa TX 79761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Temple Beth El (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sewell Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Parker Family (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Blackshear High School

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(approx. 1.4 miles away); First 911 System in Texas (approx. 1.4 miles away); Tom Lea's "Stampede" (approx. 1.6 miles away); Odessa Petrochemical Complex (approx. 1.6 miles away); Earl George Rodman, Sr. and William Douglas Noel (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.

Other markers no longer nearby. Site of Homestead of William C. Sublett (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Ector County Newspapers (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015

2. Ector County's First Dry Hole Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015

3. Ector County's First Dry Hole Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 740 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.