Historical Marker
Hobbs Discovery Well
Hobbs, Lea County · New Mexico
The well opened a field; getting the oil out took two more years. Midwest's State No. 1 was spudded in late 1927 and came in during 1928, the date the Hobbs panel on US-62 gives. The rush came in January 1930, when a Humble Oil well northwest of town began flowing 9,500 barrels a day, and that April the first Texas and New Mexico Railway train reached Hobbs. The 1930 census had counted 598 people; the boom pushed the town past 12,000, and the Depression dropped it to about 3,000 by 1931.
What the plaque says
Official Scenic Historic Marker Hobbs Discovery Well Following earlier oil discoveries in the Lea County area, Ronald K. DeFord, of Midwest Refining Co., now Amoco, came to Hobbs to survey for a new drilling site. Drilling began October 12, 1927, oil was discovered at 4,065 feet, and the new well produced over 500,000 barrels of oil in its lifetime. Hobbs was transformed from an unknown community into a bustling boomtown boasting many restaurants and bars, several hotels and movie theaters.
Where it stands
32.70466, -103.11777 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Llano Estacado — 4.0 mi
- Hobbs — 4.3 mi
- Myrtle Attaway Farquhar (1900-1972) — 5.3 mi
- Hobbs Army Air Field — 6.8 mi