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Big Spring State Park on Route of Old Comanche War Trail | Heritage Museum | First Commercial Oil Well in Howard County
Big Spring State Park on Route of Old Comanche War Trail
Marker Title: Big Spring State Park on Route of Old Comanche War Trail
Address: Big Spring State Park
City: Big Spring
County: Howard
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: Park Road 8 must inside the entrance to the Big Spring State Park
Marker Text: For Comanche war parties, about 1750 to 1875, the Big Spring was an oasis. Here paths from northeast, north and northwest twined into the War Trail that led to San Antonio and other Texas points, and down into Mexico. At the Big Spring, parties from far away as the Arkansas Valley could rest their horses. At this point on return trips northward, their weary captives might find water, rest, and possibly food. The Comanches harrassed settlements, robbing and burning stores, mills, farms, ranches; killing men and capturing women and children to be held for ransom, slavery, or adoption into the tribe. The War Trail was well marked, for warriors took on their long expeditions numerous pack and riding horses, hordes of dogs, and their women and children to wait upon the men and assist in the looting. Indians in the Civil War years, 1861-1865, had much freedom to invade Texas. By 1866 they were selling to New Mexico traders thousands of cattle stolen from Texas ranchmen. Most of the Comanches were put on reservations in 1875. Afterward their old trails were used by white settlers and by hunting parties on special leave. In 1881 a hunting party attacked builders on the T.&P. Railroad working near here. Incise on base: Early travel, communication and transportation series Erected by Moody Foundation
Heritage Museum
Museum Name: Heritage Museum
Street Address: 510 Scurry
City: Big Spring
Zip Code: 79720
Area Code: 915
Phone: 267-8255
County: Howard
First Commercial Oil Well in Howard County
Marker Title: First Commercial Oil Well in Howard County
Address: Intersection U.S. 87 and F.M. 821
City: Forsan
County: Howard
Year Marker Erected: 1968
Marker Location: Intersection of U.S. 87 and F.M. 821 in Glasscock County.
Marker Text: On Nov. 9, 1925, this wildcat well "No. 1 H.R. Clay" drilled by Fred Hyer, began pumping oil in a venture that hinted at vast oil resources in West Texas. The well on Clay's land hit pay dirt at 1,508 feet. Soon oil land speculators developed a great interest in this formerly "worthless" territory and other wildcatters flocked to the area. As a result of efforts here, the Permian Basin--one of the richest oil repositories in the state--was developed. Since 1925 Howard County has produced more than 300 million barrels.