Founded in 1881, Abilene became a regional economic center, and local boosters believed oil and gas discoveries could further expand the area’s economy and population. By 1915, important oil discoveries elsewhere in Texas, including one near Moran in Shackelford County, encouraged Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce to seek drilling in northeastern Taylor County by attracting major petroleum companies rather than waiting for outside initiative. Dr. J.A. Udden conducted a geological survey and recommended two surface structures for further testing, one five miles southeast of Abilene and another about 2.5 miles northeast of town. City leaders then corresponded with several oil and gas companies to encourage drilling. The Frank P. Fox Oil Company of Indianapolis showed interest in 1915, leased land, and began drilling 6.5 miles southeast of Abilene on the Jon Bowyer lease, a site not among Udden’s two recommended locations and later unsupported by additional testing. That well reached 3,340 feet before being abandoned without finding oil, but encouraging signs led to a second well drilled 1.75 miles northwest. Oil was found there, and the well produced 6 barrels of oil and 11 barrels of water per day. Although oil and gas production in Taylor County did not become profitable until the 1930s, this venture was an important early step in the development of a major local industry.