Texas Historical Marker #03862
One Hundred Million Barrels of Oil From Block 31 Unit. A discovery well completed in Nov. 1945 about a mile to the northeast has led to vast production of oil--one hundred million barrels by July 27, 1969. The discovery well, University A No.1 , was drilled by the Atlantic Richfield Company. This development is on land belonging to the University of Texas, designated as Block 31 Unit, and leased to Atlantic Richfield (the operator), Phillips Petroleum Company, Continental Oil Company and Champlin Petroleum Company. The unit--7,200 acres in area--has 72 wells approximately 8,500 feet deep, into the earth stratum known as the Devonian formation. Through the years, unusual processes were used to increase unit oil recovery. High pressure natural gas was injected, to wash oil from subterranean rock. Later, exhaust gas was injected instead of the costlier natural gas. Research and farsighted policies made possible unusually high recovery in this reservoir. Credit for the conservation and good management of this unit goes to the Texas Railroad Commission (as the regulatory body with oversight of oil production), the University of Texas and owners of the unit. Attachment - 1989: A second milestone was reached October 17, 1987, when the two hundred millionth barrel of crude oil was produced from the Block 31 Unit. #3862
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03293
McGee Ranch House. Crane County's oldest house; built 1909 by pioneer rancher R. D. McGee on land homesteaded 23 years prior to County organization. Jay McGee, a son, was one of the first county commissioners. Typical "dog-trot" design. It took wagons 3 days to haul the lumber from Odessa. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966. #3293
4698 J-Bar Road, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02567
Horsehead Crossing, C.S.A.. One of the most important sites in the old west. Named for skulls pointing toward crossing. Only ford for many miles where animals could enter, drink and leave Pecos River safely. Elsewhere deep banks would trap them. Ford mapped 1849 by Capt. R. B. Marcy, head of army escort for parties on way to California gold rush. Used in 1850's contractor for first mail route from San Antonio to El Paso. As change station, echoed with brass bugle call of Butterfield coach carrying mail from St. Louis to San Francisco, in first stage service to span continent, 1858-1861. During the Civil War, 1861-1865, used by wagons hauling highly valuable salt scooped from bed of nearby Juan Cordona Lake, to meet Texas scarcities. Also scene of spying and counterspying of Federal and Confederates watching Overland Trail. Federal, operating out of El Paso, feared invasion by way of Horsehead. Confederates several times threw back armies that sought to enter the state in order to deploy along the old Overland Trail and conquer north and west Texas. Later this became important crossing for cattle on Goodnight-Loving trail, mapped in 1866. (1965) #2567
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02566
Horsehead Crossing of The Pecos. Well known to frontiersmen and used by emigrants for several years preceding, this crossing was an important point on the southern overland mail (Butterfield route) which Linked St. Louis and San Francisco with a semi-weekly mail and stage service 1858-1861. #2566
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01105
Crane County. Formed from Tom Green County Created February 26, 1887 Organized September 3, 1927. Named in honor of William Carey Crane 1816-1885. A Baptist minister President of Baylor University 1863-1885 Crane, The County Seat. (1 mi. N Crane, State Hy 51) #1105
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00851
Church and Fields Oil Discovery Well. Since 1839 Texas has set aside her public lands to finance education. The University of Texas at Austin acquired the land at this site in 1883, after the first owner, a railroad company, returned it to the state as worthless. For years McElroy Ranch grazed cattle here. On similar terrain 70 miles to the southeast the Santa Rita Gusher blew in during 1923, and soon other University lands were being explored for oil. Church & Fields Exploration Company, composed of George M. Church and Robert Fields of San Angelo, obtained a permit late in 1925 to drill in section 34, block 30, in University land on McElroy Ranch. On Dec. 28, 1925, contractor Burton F. Weekley and Driller John Garlin started the church and field well, 2.25 miles southeast of this spot. In March 1926 this became Crane County's first oil producer, opening a new major field for west Texas. Soon other wells were driller and local population rose from 27 to about 4,500. In Sept. 1927 county government was organized as a result of the oil field activity. Until 1955 the discovery well continued to produce. Since the day it proved successful and an asset to education and energy production, over a billion barrels of oil have come from University of Texas lands. #851
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00811
Curry, Charles Boothe. Born in the Smith County town of Troup, C. B. Curry became a law enforcement official at an early age. In Jan. 1933, he joined the Texas rangers and served for two years in Falfurrias and San Angelo. He came to Crane in 1935 as special investigator and helped preserve order during the town's oil boom days. He later served as deputy sheriff and chief of police before going into private business. Curry was married twice and had seven children. Recorded - 1977 #811
1500 S. Gaston, Crane, TX, United States