The Events

Oil in the Permian Basin was predicted on June 21, 1916. A drilling permit was filed on March 27, 1919, and the Texon Oil and Land Company was organized in April 1919. A lease was validated by drilling a water well on January 8, 1921, and the location of an oil well was surveyed on January 19 and 20, 1921. Construction of the derrick and rig took place from July 1 to 20, 1921, and drilling for oil began on August 17, 1921. The first oil showing was encountered on May 27, 1923, and the first flow of oil out of the well came on May 28, 1923. The rig was dismantled on January 15, 1940, arrived in Austin on February 5, 1940, and was re-erected and dedicated on November 27, 1958. The rig of the Santa Rita No. 1 was donated to the University of Texas through Mr. Charles E. Beyer, Vice-President and General Manager of the Big Lake Oil Company, and was brought to Austin under the sponsorship of the Texas State Historical Association.

Austin, Texas · United States