Texas Historical Marker #03465
Moorhead Cable Tool Rig. Last wooden oil derrick in U.S. to retire from daily use. Drilled Moorhead No. 1 well on Chapman-McAlvane lease, Loving County. Has bull wheels and rig irons of type not made since 1920s. However, in its day it made deep drilling possible. Pump was steam-driven until 1942, when 4-cylinder gasoline engine began to run the "Yo-Yo" wheels and walking beam. Well was put on electric pump, 1966. Given by R. O. Moorhead to city of Kermit, as a Permian Basin oil empire history exhibit, rig was moved 35 miles to this site without being dismantled. (1966) #3465
Pioneer Park, Tommy Thompson Rd., Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04561
The Sand Hills. Mapped by U. S. Government, 1849, for gold seekers and settlers. Known earlier to Indians and many Spanish explorers. A 100-mile belt of sand in Winkler and 4 other Texas counties and in New Mexico. Width varies from 3 to 20 miles; outer dunes are held by dwarf oaks. Water at 2' depth supports willows, cottonwoods, and a plum thicket. (The plums gave food to early settlers.) Many dunes more than 70' high. Heavy, shifting sands a natural barrier to travel. Campsite and game reservation for Indians. Now part of expansive cattle ranges and rich oil fields. #4561
SH 115 and 874, NE of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05866
Winkler County. Formed from Tom Green County; created February 26, 1887. Organized April 5, 1910. Named in honor of C. M. Winkler, 1821-1882. Statesman, soldier and jurist. Kermit, the county seat a petroleum producing and cattle raising area. (1936) #5866
FM 115 and 874, W of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00439
Blue Mountain. Winkler County's highest point (3500 Ft.), Blue Mountain has long served as a lookout and landmark on the west Texas plains. Here Indians found fuel, sheltering caves, and water. They left artifacts in the caves and pictographs on the cave walls that boasted their prowess as horse wranglers, hunters, and fishermen. A directional sign told of a water hole nine days by trail to the northeast. Pictographs also told the story of a fight between two lizards. The pass is called Avary Gap for John Avary, who first settled the area in 1880. (1964) #439
SH 302, East of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00958
Colonel C. M. Winkler. Native North Carolina. Start of Civil War, organized and took company 150 men to join Confederate army in Virginia. Unit made part 4th Texas Infantry of famed Hood's Brigade. Rose to command regiment as lt. colonel. Fought with famous unit in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee. Distinguished himself second Manassas, wounded at Gettysburg. Surrendered with General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox. (1963) #958
Poplar and Winkler St., Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02928
Kermit's Oldest Home. Built by county clerk, 1910. (year Winkler County was organized). Owned by Mosleys Bairds. (1964) #2928
Tommy Thompson Rd, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02927
Kermit. County Seat of Winkler County. Organized in 1910. Incorporated in 1938. Name for Kermit Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, who had visited a local ranch. One of the top oil and gas producing counties in state. Ranch center. Gateway to New Mexico. (1964) #2927
SH 302, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03723
Old Duval Townsite. First post office in Winkler (then part of Tom Green) County opened near here (1908) on John Howe ranch. Mail came in twice weekly to serve 300 persons. Duval townsite, promoted all over the United States by the Pueblo Investment Vo., opened on March 19, 1910, with free lots, a picnic, and cowboy tournament. In April, Kermit became seat of Winkler County; post office moved there in October. Duval failed to develop and townsite rights were canceled after 1928 oil discovery here. Ownership of many valuable lots sold in 1910 is still unclear today. (1967) #3723
SH 302, W of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01005
The Community Church. 50 years of camp meetings, circuit riders, singings and Sunday Schools at ranches or schoolhouses filled settlers' religious needs. In 1928, when this church was organized, its sanctuary was 1910 courthouse, bought for a dollar. Present edifice--first brick building in Kermit--is on site of that first church, and was built by generous ranchers after oil discovery. Dedicated 1938. First resident pastor was C. Y. Butler. (1966) #1005
302 S. Poplar St., Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05867
Winkler County Courthouse. Built in 1929-30 in response to the need for a larger courthouse after the discovery of oil in the county in 1926, this replaced a 1910 structure on the same site. Designed by architect David Castle, the four-story classical revival/beaux arts building features distinctive two-story classical columns, decorative double-door surrounds and transoms, and paired and triple windows on the second and third floors. A one-story addition was built in the 1950s. (1988) #5867
110 E. Winkler St., Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05274
Texas Territorial Compromise of 1850. Four miles east of this site is an official corner post marking agreement of Texas to give up some of the land won in her 1836 war for independence. It also marks New Mexico's southeast corner. When Texas was annexed to the United States, 1846, her territory included 98,300 square miles now in the states of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming. After the Mexican War (fought 1846-1848, over the annexation), anti-slavery forces in the U. S. sought to trim the size of Texas, a slave state. To raise money and establish a definite boundary, Texas accepted the compromise of 1850 and agreed to give up a third of her area in return for payment of $10,000,000. The money paid debts of the former Republic of Texas, set up a $2,000,000 public school fund, and erected state buildings, including a new capitol (which subsequently burned in 1881). By the 1850 compromise, the western boundary of Texas follows the 103rd meridian south from 36* 30'; near here intersects the 32nd parallel, then goes west along the parallel to the Rio Grande. The corner marks not only a peaceable boundary pact, but also shows an unbroken stretch of Permian Basin lands, unified in geography and common goals. (1966) #5274
SH 18, N of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05853
Willow Springs. Located 6.6 miles east of this site in the Sand Hills. Willow Springs was known to Comanche Indians and to West Texas Pioneers as an important source of water. It was frequently used by gold seekers on their way to California after the 1849 gold discovery there. In 1901, "Judge" A. Hayes found the remains of a charred 40-wagon train at Willow Springs. Evidence indicates there had been a killing at the site, and artefacts from the unidentified Massacre have been placed at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. (1964) #5853
SH 18, S of Kermit, Kermit, TX, United States