On North Weatherford Street south of East Illinois Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Z. Taylor and Sara Brown moved their family to Midland in 1884. A rancher and merchant, Brown had this house built in 1899. Featuring carved wood details, an art glass window, and three fireplaces connected to a single chimney, the house is believed . . . — — Map (db m86496) HM
Near North A Street at Lawson Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
In use by May 31, 1885, 10-acre southeast corner of this tract was accepted as gift of Midland Town Co., by commissioners of newly organized Midland County in their first meeting on Aug. 10, 1885. Veterans of the Mexican War and Civil War are among . . . — — Map (db m86396) HM
On West Louisiana Avenue at North Garfield Street, on the right when traveling west on West Louisiana Avenue.
The First Baptist Church of Midland began serving the city shortly after Midland's founding in 1885. That year, Baptists from Pecos, Big Spring and Midland agreed to hire the Rev. S.B. Callaway to serve the three congregations. Under his leadership, . . . — — Map (db m86341) HM
On West Louisiana Avenue at North F Street, on the left when traveling west on West Louisiana Avenue.
Chartered in 1890, the First Christian Church of Midland was organized by sixteen members who met in private homes until 1892. A tradition of service to the church and community began when charter member S. E. Townsend pledged $300 toward the first . . . — — Map (db m86394) HM
On West Wall Street at North Main Street, on the left when traveling east on West Wall Street.
Organized in Odessa on August 22, 1902, as Odessa National Bank, this institution began with an initial capital of $25,000. In June 1903 the shareholders voted to move the bank to Midland and rename it Midland National Bank.
Bank offices were . . . — — Map (db m86689) HM
On North H Street north of West Ohio Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
George H.W. Bush, future President of the United States, moved to Texas in 1948 with his wife, Barbara, future First Lady, and their young son, George W., to begin work as an equipment clerk for the International Derrick & Equipment Company in . . . — — Map (db m115867) HM
On West Ohio Street at North H Street, on the right when traveling west on West Ohio Street.
George Herbert Walker Bush and wife Barbara (Pierce) came to Texas in 1948, moving to Midland with son George Walker Bush in 1950. They bought this home in 1951 and while here faced the loss of daughter Robin and celebrated the birth of two sons. . . . — — Map (db m115868) HM
On North Baird Street at East Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Baird Street.
Mechanical genius who made and flew first locally-owned aircraft. Born in Austria, Pliska came with parents to Texas, and after 1903 followed blacksmith trade in Midland. He built (1912) and flew at intervals up to 15 minutes an aeroplane of his own . . . — — Map (db m86497) HM
On Interstate 20, 1.4 miles west of Texas Highway 250, on the right when traveling west.
Plotted in 1849 by a U. S. Army surveying expedition under Capt. Randolph B. Marcy. Guided by Manuel, a Comanche Indian, Marcy crossed the dreaded Staked Plains of West Texas, proving their feasibility for travel, and opening a new and shorter road . . . — — Map (db m86655) HM
On State Highway 158, 1 mile east of Farm to Market Road 1788, on the right when traveling east.
Standard gauge 66-mile line built by David Fasken, Sr., to carry cattle, ranch supplies, passengers.
Operated 1916 to 1920—critical era of World War I and world starvation aftermath. Linked towns of Fasken, Florey, and Seminole with Texas . . . — — Map (db m86338) HM
On Clark Street at College Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Clark Street.
A 2-year, coeducational college that functioned 1910-1921. H. R. Garrett was first president. Students rode horse-drawn bus to campus; edited yearbook, "The Sandstorm." Some 250 attended in 1917. Financial stress forced closure. The 3-story gray . . . — — Map (db m86340) HM
On Interstate 20 at milepost 142, on the right when traveling east.
Formed from Tom Green County.
Created March 4, 1885
Organized March 25, 1885
Named for its location which is halfway between Ft. Worth and El Paso.
County Seat Midland
First named Midway — — Map (db m86535) HM
On Farm to Market Road 1788, 0.4 miles north of Interstate 20, on the left when traveling north.
First known as the junction of many trails and site of the last Comanche raid into Texas.
In 1881 the Texas and Pacific Railroad was built, equi-distant between El Paso and Fort Worth, this became known as Midland. First settler was a sheepman . . . — — Map (db m86699) HM
On State Highway 158, 6 miles south of Interstate 20, on the right when traveling south.
The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin during the 1920s helped sustain the area economy during the Great Depression, and many oil and gas companies established headquarters in Midland. Not until the 1940s, though, did Midland County begin seeing . . . — — Map (db m86534) HM
Near West Texas Avenue west of North Marienfeld Street, on the right when traveling west.
Organized on August 22, 1902, in Odessa as Odessa National Bank, this institution began with an initial capital of $25, 000. Less than one year later the bank's shareholders voted to relocate to Midland and the institution became Midland National . . . — — Map (db m86492) HM
Manufacturer: National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date of Manufacturer: Approximately 1910-12
Rated Depth: 2,500 feet
National advertised this as “The Rig that Displaced The Old Standard (wooden) Derrick.” These . . . — — Map (db m86692) HM
On North Main Street at West Illinois Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
First newspaper published in Midland County. Printed in 1885 in frame building once on this site. Copies were hand-set and hand-printed at rate of 5 per hour on old-style press. County court proceedings were printed at 75˘ per square inch. J. C. . . . — — Map (db m86495) HM
On South Main Street at Wall Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
First National Bank of Midland. Organized June 16, 1890. First officers were A. W. Hilliard, president; W.H. Cowden, vice president; and W. E. Connell, cashier.
Its financial stability has saved its customers from ruin in the face of drouth or . . . — — Map (db m86498) HM
On La Force Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
Old Sloan Field, built 1931, in 1942 became Midland Army Flying School, for bombardier cadets. At one time it was called largest bombardier training center in the world. One of over 25 World War II airfields in Texas, its cadets flew 861,510 hours . . . — — Map (db m140218) HM
Manufactured by: Star Drilling Machine Company, Akron, Ohio
Date manufactured: about 1930
Maximum depth: 5,000 feet
Weight: 22,000 pounds
This spudder, used in Breckenridge, Texas, area by Guy Ewing, has double walking beams. Heavy . . . — — Map (db m86696) HM
On Interstate 20, 0.6 miles west of Rankin Highway, on the right when traveling west.
The growing west Texas petroleum industry found itself destined to play a significant role during World War II. By the late 1930s an intrastate pipeline system moved crude oil east to refineries and shipping points. In 1940, Texas produced almost . . . — — Map (db m86698) HM
Near Interstate 20, 0.7 miles west of Rankin Highway, on the right when traveling west.
There was great variety in the oil fields (the “oil patch”, if you will) of the 1920's and 1930's. Steam, gas, and electric powered drilling rigs, spudders and pulling machines, bandwheel pump units, and much more contributed to the . . . — — Map (db m86690) HM
On North Colorado Street north of West Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Attracted by Midland's growing economy and the rapid development of the area's petroleum industry, T.S. Hogan announced plans for the construction of this facility in 1927. An oilman and former Montana senator, Hogan saw the need for a multi-purpose . . . — — Map (db m86493) HM
Near North A Street at Lawson Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
A member, Company B, Frontier Battalion of Texas Rangers. Killed near here while trailing Comanche Indian raiding party on July 1, 1879. He was buried on the spot where he fell.
A native of Virginia, member of one of its first families, he . . . — — Map (db m86395) HM
Manufacturer: Wichtex Machinery Co. Wichita Falls, Texas
Date of Use: Unknown, probably late 1920's to 1950's
Maximum Depth: 4,000 ft.
Spudders were developed in the 1920's as easily moved and set up cable tool drilling machines. Modern . . . — — Map (db m86691) HM
Manufacturer: The Wichtex Machinery Co. Wichita Falls, Texas
Date of Use: Unknown, probably late 1920's to early 1950's
Maximum Depth: Probably to 5,000 ft.
Note the large locomotive type boiler and single cylinder Acme steam engine, rated . . . — — Map (db m86697) HM
