​The Wortham Oil Boom

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Marker Text: ​ The city of Wortham rejected a well drilled by C. L. Witherspoon in 1912 when it produced gas, not water. However, oil and gas wells in 1919-23 gave prosperity to neighbors north and south, and petroleum exploration began here. 
       Discovery well for the Wortham Field, Roy Simmons No. 1 (1 mi. S), came in as a gusher on Nov. 27, 1924. Within three weeks over 300 drilling rigs were in the field. 
       3,509,768 barrels of oil were produced in Jan. 1925; total for the year was 16,838,150 barrels. 
     Wasteful drilling slowed yield to 3,000 barrels a day by Sept. 1927, and the boom was concluded. (1972) 

Marker No: 9915

Aluminum 18 x 28 Subject Marker

Geographic: 31.786890, -96.463539

Location: On SH 14 near the intersection of Main and SH 14, Wortham