Historical marker unveiled to commemorate Hidalgo County’s first oil well

LA JOYA, Texas – The Texas Department of Transportation and Hidalgo County Historical Commission have unveiled a new historical marker between La Joya and Sullivan City, near the site of Hidalgo County’s first oil well.

The marker is situated on westbound US Business 83, approximately one mile east of the US 83 Relief Route connectors, in Sullivan City.

The original marker placed near this location was removed when construction began on the US 83 Relief Route.

Hidalgo County’s long relationship with the oil and gas industry began near this site when the John M. Lawrence No. 1 oil well was brought in on September 18, 1934, by veteran driller Otto C. Woods, working on behalf of Heep Oil of Houston. Drilling commenced March 13, 1935.

The Rio Grande Guardian was present to video record the unveiling ceremony. There were three speakers at the event: TxDOT’s Pharr District Engineer Pedro ‘Pete’ Alvarez; Gabriel Ozuna, vice chairman of Hidalgo County Historical Commission; and Roseann Bacha-Garza, secretary of Hidalgo County Historical Commission.

“Today’s unveiling is an opportunity to preserve and highlight part of our rich history here in Hidalgo County. It is an opportunity to learn from the past and continue our education,” Alvarez said.

Ozuna said the original historical marker was one of the oldest in Hidalgo County, having been erected in 1968.

“This is the marker for Hidalgo County’s first oil well. Hidalgo County has a long relationship with the oil and gas industry,” Ozuna said.

That first oil well Woods drilled 90 years ago reached a depth of 2,753 feet, Ozuna said.

“An audience of more than 250 spectators watched as the oil began shooting up 30 feet, according to local newspapers. The well flowed 1,000 barrels a day,” Ozuna said. “At first, the oil formed a lake beside the well. Drilling was completed by March 25 of 1935 and the well was plugged July 5 of 1940. By the end of the century, Hidalgo County had produced 20 million barrels of oil.”

Ozuna added: “Texas is known for oil but Hidalgo County, it is not something most people think about. But it is a part of our past, part of our history. And, as you can tell from what happened 90 years ago yesterday, actually, it was a pretty big deal.”

An historical marker located between La Joya and Sullivan City commemorates the first oil well drilled in Hidalgo County. (Photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)

Samuel W. Fordyce

In her remarks, Bacha-Garza spoke about the small town of Sam Fordyce, which was located just south of the historical marker. She said it had a post office and a hotel.

Samuel W. Fordyce

“Sam Fordyce was a promoter and an investor in the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway that came through here in 1904. Eventually, they had a spur continue on up to Ringgold Barracks in Rio Grande City during World War I, starting in 1916,” Bacha-Garza said.

“Across the street from where we are standing today, if you drive down the caliche road a piece, until you hit the former, older section of the Military Telegraph Road, you’ll see a railway crossing sign. But you won’t see any of the remnants of any homes or buildings or the hotel that was standing there during its small heyday between 1904 and 1931.”

Bacha-Garza said the only remnant of the former town of Sam Fordyce is a cement basin for a pool that was utilized and enjoyed by the soldiers that were stationed at Fort Ringgold, the railroad crossing sign, and a water well.

Editor’s Note: Here is a video recording of the TxDOT-Hidalgo County Historical Commission historical marker unveiling ceremony:

The post Historical marker unveiled to commemorate Hidalgo County’s first oil well appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.