Marker Inscription
Organized in Kansas in 1890 by Horace Greeley Johnston (1851-1930) of Ohio and Pennsylvania native Charles Rittersbacher (1857-1919). This company began as a water well drilling business. In 1891 the partners moved to Texas and began drilling in Corsicana. In 1894, while drilling on S. 12th street, they struck crude oil, which led to the discovery of the Corsicana oil field. The firm began making and distributing rotary drilling equipment in 1900. Converted to a munitions plant in World War II, the business was sold to Bethlehem Steel and operated at this site until 1959. (1982)
About this site
American Well & Prospecting Company is a historical marker in Corsicana, Navarro County, dedicated in 1982. It is one of 128 historical markers documented in Navarro County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 218 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 32.0987, -96.4613 near Corsicana. The nearest cataloged historic site is Coleman, Dr. Will, Sr. (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Corsicana Newspapers, State National Bank of Corsicana, and Natural Gas Pipelines.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5349008728. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
