Marker Inscription
Last wooden oil derrick in U.S. to retire from daily use. Drilled Moorhead No. 1 well on Chapman-McAlvane lease, Loving County. Has bull wheels and rig irons of type not made since 1920s. However, in its day it made deep drilling possible. Pump was steam-driven until 1942, when 4-cylinder gasoline engine began to run the "Yo-Yo" wheels and walking beam. Well was put on electric pump, 1966. Given by R. O. Moorhead to city of Kermit, as a Permian Basin oil empire history exhibit, rig was moved 35 miles to this site without being dismantled. (1966)
About this site
Moorhead Cable Tool Rig is a historical marker in Kermit, Winkler County, dedicated in 1966. It is one of 15 historical markers documented in Winkler County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 17 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.8565, -103.0796 near Kermit. The nearest cataloged historic site is Kermit's Oldest Home (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Kermit, Community Church, and Winkler, Colonel C. M..
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5495003465. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
