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First Oil Well in Hockley County

Sundown, Hockley County

Marker Text

On April 6, 1937, this well was completed by the Texas Company (Texaco, Inc.), flowing 502 barrels per day from a depth of 5,023 feet, on land owned by J. E. Guerry (1885-1956). The Guerry family purchased surface and 1/8 mineral rights on 127 acres, in 1929, from R. L. (Bob) Slaughter (1870-1938), who inherited over 160,000 acres of the Lazy S Ranch after death of his father, Col. C. C. Slaughter (1837-1919). Located in the vast Slaughter field, this well was the first of over 2,600 active wells in the county, which have produced over 400 million barrels of oil. (1970)

Marker Details

Address FM 303
Location Description FM 303, W side 0.1 mi. N of Wagon Wheel. Marker reported missing Feb. 2021.
Marker # 1806
Dedicated 1973
Size, Type 18" x 28"
Code ranches/ranching; oil/petroleum topics
Latitude, Longitude 33.425544, -102.490143

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