Collins, James L.

Born in Weston, West Virginia, James Lawrence Collins (1883-1953) began his career in the petroleum industry at age fourteen. New oil discoveries in Texas brought him to the Corsicana area about 1923. He soon formed a partnership with two brothers, John and Robert Wheelock, and founded the Wheelock & Collins Oil Co. Collins' business was instrumental in the development of the Corsicana field, the East Texas field, and other oil fields around the country. His success and expertise were widely recognized throughout the industry and led him into positions of leadership in several national petroleum associations. Never married, Collins provided upon his death that his $13 million estate be divided among four organizations. These included Dallas' Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children and St. Joseph's Orphanage. Part of the estate went to his local Roman Catholic parish, which used the money to build and operate the school at this site. The remainder of his estate went to create scholarships for graduates of Corsicana High School. Collins' contributions as a businessman and civic leader played an important role in the development and history of the Corsicana area.

Collins, James L. is a historical marker in Corsicana, Navarro County, dedicated in 1983. 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 32.0890, -96.5006 near Corsicana. The nearest cataloged historic site is Corsicana Hebrew Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Odd Fellow and Rebekah Children's Home, Holman Home, and Corsicana State Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5349011602. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.