Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom!

1930s

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

1. First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom Marker

Inscription. Black gold! Suddenly, the Great Depression was forgotten with the late 1930 discovery of the East Texas Oil Field, biggest in the world. Trapped in a layer of porous sandstone called the Woodbine formation 3,600 feet below the surface, the field was approximately 40 miles long and five miles wide. Nearly half of the huge field was in Gregg County.

The Longview Chamber of Commerce offered a prize of $10,000 for the first oil well in Gregg County within 12 miles of the city. Realtor B.A. Skipper — who long had believed there was oil here — and other investors had already begun drilling on a farm owned by Kelly Plow Works' manager, F.K. Lathrop. On Jan. 28, 1931, the well blew in, capable of producing 18,000 barrels per day. The possibility of a single field loomed. The oil boom was on.

Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Natural Resources. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 1931.

Location. 32° 29.749′ N, 94° 44.205′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is at the intersection of North Green Street and East Methvin Street, on the left when traveling north on North Green Street. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 219 East Methvin Street, Longview TX 75601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A City That Grows (here, next to this marker); The Oil Boom Brings Renewal (here, next to this marker); World War II & Its Aftermath (here, next to this marker); The End of the Beginning (a few steps from this marker); Industry Accelerates Economic Growth (a few steps from this marker); Technology Brings Modern Conveniences (a few steps from this marker); Transportation: Model T's, Trains & Trolleys (a few steps from this marker); Completing a Century of Development (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom! 1930s image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom! 1930s

Photo from marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

3. Photo from marker.

Heritage Plaza Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

4. Heritage Plaza Park

Intersection at Green & Methvin Streets. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. Intersection at Green & Methvin Streets.

Heritage Plaza dedication plaque. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

6. Heritage Plaza dedication plaque.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.