First Commercial Oil Well in Howard County
Garden City, Glasscock County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On Nov. 9, 1925, this wildcat well "No. 1 H.R. Clay" drilled by Fred Hyer, began pumping oil in a venture that hinted at vast oil resources in west Texas. The well on Clay's land hit pay dirt at 1,508 feet. Soon oil land speculators developed a great interest in this formerly "worthless" territory and other wildcatters flocked to the area. As a result of efforts here, the Permian Basin--one of the richest oil repositories in the state--was developed. Since 1925 Howard County has produced more than 300 million barrels. (1969)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On November 9, 1925, wildcatter Fred Hyer's well 'No. 1 H.R. Clay' struck oil at 1,508 feet on land many had dismissed as worthless. The strike touched off a rush of speculators and drillers into West Texas and helped open the Permian Basin, one of the richest oil regions in the state. Howard County alone has since produced more than 300 million barrels.
Why it matters
This well helped unlock the Permian Basin, the vast oil field that would make West Texas central to the American—and global—energy economy.
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Related people
- · Fred Hyer
- · H.R. Clay
Related events
- · Development of the Permian Basin
Themes & tags
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