Fowler Discovery Well
Burkburnett, Wichita County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(400 yards north) In 1918, cotton farmers Shields and Cassie Fowler considered leaving their land due to oppressive drought conditions. Aware of small but successful oil finds in the area, however, Cassie suggested they drill a well on their land. With help from family, friends and local business owners, they began drilling near their hog pen, and the Fowler Discovery Well blew in on July 26. The largest producing well in the town to that point, it yielded about 2,500 barrels a day once contained. The well tapped the vast Townsite Pool and triggered four years of boomtown growth for Burkburnett. The area soon had close to 3,000 wells and several refineries. (2005)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1918, cotton farmers Shields and Cassie Fowler were ready to abandon their drought-stricken land near Burkburnett until Cassie suggested drilling for oil instead. With help from family, friends, and local merchants, they sank a well near their hog pen, and on July 26 the Fowler Discovery Well blew in, gushing some 2,500 barrels a day. It tapped the enormous Townsite Pool and set off four years of frenzied boomtown growth, with nearly 3,000 wells and several refineries crowding the area.
Why it matters
The Fowler well helped ignite one of the great Texas oil booms, a wildcatter's gamble that turned a failing cotton farm into the center of a boomtown and typified the state's transformation by petroleum.
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Related people
- · Shields Fowler
- · Cassie Fowler
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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