Except for the original Yates Ranch Gusher of 1926, most dramatic oil discovery in Upton County brought in December 6, 1961. West of this site 3.5 miles.
First quadruple completion in west Texas, called by American Association of Petroleum . . . — — Map (db m201227) HM
(Front):
County Named for Texas Confederates John C. Upton and W. F. Upton (Brothers)
Colonel John Cunningham Upton (1828-1862) Born Tennessee. Came to Texas 1859. Raised company outbreak of Civil War. Attached to 5th Texas . . . — — Map (db m118234) HM
Local residents formed a Baptist congregation in A.F. Schnaubert's home in 1914. Names of early members include Schnaubert, Taylor, Pool, Felps, Miller, Hickox and Blanton. Later in 1914, the community built a church for local denominations; it was . . . — — Map (db m201217) HM
Founded in 1911 on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad, the town of Rankin saw four immense oil fields discovered in its trade area in 1923-1926. Local business expanded greatly. The First State Bank of Rankin — Upton County’s first financial . . . — — Map (db m201211) HM
Made Upton County seat in 1921. Named for F.E. Rankin, who gave site for railroad station - the center of community life over and above its business dealings; was scene of cowboy dances on Saturday nights and church services on Sundays.
Home of . . . — — Map (db m118236) HM
This cemetery was established in 1915, soon after the founding of Rankin, by Civic leaders Ira Yates, J.H. Felps, Tom F. Hickox, and Dr. J.H. Johnson. Johnson's niece, Mary Evelyn Johnson, was the first to be buried here in 1916. Many burials . . . — — Map (db m201209) HM
Since 1952, the community of Rankin has annually hosted an all-kid rodeo, an event unique to the sport, which has its roots in the American cattle industry. Ranching has been the backbone of the Rankin economy since the town's establishment in . . . — — Map (db m201220) HM
After pioneers of Upland (12 Mi.N) resettled here in 1912 on Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway, they held religious services in the railroad depot, then acquired a non-denominational church site on this corner. Ira G. Yates, later an oil baron, . . . — — Map (db m201218) HM
Field named in 1950 by the Texas Railroad Commission in honor of Michael Late (Mike) Benedum, 1869-1959, who devoted 69 years of his 90 years to the oil business,and won fortune and fame as "The Great Wildcatter".
His work began in 1890. With a . . . — — Map (db m34699) HM
Now abandoned, the town of Upland (10 miles N) was intended as a station on the rail line from St. Louis to Chihuahua, Mexico. It was also located near the stage route of the Butterfield mail line. Henry Halff and his son platted the townsite in . . . — — Map (db m118237) HM
Formed from Tom Green County created February 26, 1887 - organized May 7, 1910.
Named in honor of John Cunningham Upton 1828-1868. A distinguished Confederate officer killed at Manassas, August 30, 1862.
County Seat, Upland, 1910-1921; . . . — — Map (db m118235) HM
Built as show place by Ira Yates, for boom crowds drawn by his $15,000,000 gusher of 1926, on dry ranch with which he was “stuck” in swap-off of a general store.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964 — — Map (db m194503) HM
