Marker Inscription
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.
About this site
Wortham Oil Boom is a historical marker in Wortham, Freestone County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 57 historical markers documented in Freestone County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 145 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.7886, -96.4635 near Wortham. The nearest cataloged historic site is Wortham (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Bounds, Rev. G. W., United Methodist Church of Wortham, and Allegre, Judge.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5161009915. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
