HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

First Oil Well in Cooke County

Callisburg, Cooke County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Located on the Bud W Davis Farm (1 mile E), Cooke County's first producing oil well came in on Nov 9, 1924, heralding the beginning of a multi-million dollar industry and a new life style for the surrounding farm community. Carnival atmosphere prevailed while sightseers and reporters flocked to the lease. One enterprising man charged admission until questioned by a worker. The discovery well, drilled by C.A. Doudrick's Big Indian Oil Company continued to produce until 1970 when it was plugged.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

On November 9, 1924, a well on the Bud W. Davis Farm struck oil and transformed a quiet farming community into the frontier of a multi-million-dollar industry. A carnival atmosphere took hold as sightseers and reporters flocked to the lease—one enterprising man even charged admission until a worker put a stop to it. Drilled by C. A. Doudrick's Big Indian Oil Company, the discovery well kept producing until it was plugged in 1970.

Why it matters

It marks the arrival of the oil boom that reshaped the economy and daily life of rural Texas in the twentieth century.

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Related people

  • · C. A. Doudrick

Themes & tags

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