Benedum Oil Field and Benedum Townside, The

Field named in 1950 by Texas Railroad Commission in honor of Michael Late (Mike) Benedum, 1869-1959, who devoted 69 of his 90 years to the oil business, and won fortune and fame as "the great wildcatter". His work began in 1890. With a partner, Joe C. Trees, he discovered or developed oil fields in Illinois, West Virginia, Louisiana (the great Caddo field); the Tuxpan in Mexico; de Mares in Colombia, South America; and in Texas the Desdemona, Big Lake, Yates, East White Point, Susan Peak and Benavides. Discovery of Big Lake Field ( 1923 ) on University of Texas land tapped the great wealth of the Permian Basin, which opened in 1920 with a small discovery. Alford No. 1, original well in Benedum field (later reclassified as a gas field), was completed Jan. 4, 1948, at depth of 12,011 feet by Slick-Urschel Oil Co., under a partnership agreement. The field later benefited by dedication of Benedum townside. The "great wildcatter" was an oil pioneer whose work enriched one of the world's large constitutional permanent university funds. Revenues from oil and gas operations give Texas the largest permanent public school fund in the world.

Benedum Oil Field and Benedum Townside, The is a historical marker in Rankin, Upton County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 21 historical markers documented in Upton County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 24 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.3216, -101.9456 near Rankin. The nearest cataloged historic site is Upland, First Upton County Seat (historical marker), about 6.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Upton County Courthouse, Upton, John C. and W.F., and First Church in Upton County.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5461005291. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.