Green Machinery Co., Inc.

Founded by George Emmett Green (1875-1960), whose work revolutionized Texas agriculture. Mechanically-gifted, Green mastered water well development, worked as pattern maker and draftsman in pump factories, and operated a plant of his own in his native Missouri before moving here in 1909 with his wife Salome (Rich) and their children. In 1911 he dug Hale County's test irrigation well on the J.H. Slaton farm, reaching a commercial yield of 1400 gallons of water per minute. This won him fame, as irrigation had long been considered the missing ingredient in South Plains agriculture -- the key factor that would enable this fertile area to produce foodstuffs and fibers to supply millions of consumers. Once deep water was found, Green tackled related problems and invented (1915) the hollow-shaft, right-angle gear drive for irrigation pumps, which made it possible to use automotive-type engines for irrigation power. With a goal of commercial pumps at moderate prices, Green established this factory in 1911, and reduced irrigation well installation costs to a figure that farmers could afford. His descendants still own and operate the business. (1974)

Green Machinery Co., Inc. is a historical marker in Plainview, Hale County, dedicated in 1974. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Hale County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 43 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 34.1878, -101.6890 near Plainview. The nearest cataloged historic site is Lamar School (historical marker), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hackberry Groves, Schick Opera House, and Hale County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5189002269. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.