Attractions

In 1927, Columbus M. "Dad" Joiner believed there was oil in Rusk County. Joiner, an Oklahoma attorney and oil promoter, had won and lost two fortunes in oil. Despite nearing age 70, he was beginning another search. With inferior equipment, he drilled his first well on Daisy Bradford's land, about six miles from Henderson. His second attempt also was unsuccessful. In January 1930, he started a third well about 300 feet from his first attempt. On Oct. 3, 1930, the Daisy Bradford No. 3 blew in as a 300 barrel-a-day well, beginning the East Texas Oil Boom.

Pioneer Park, with derrick-covered picnic pavilions, is about six miles west of Henderson on Texas 64 at C.R. 4148. Also in the park is the Joe Roughneck Monument, erected by Lone Star Steel as a memorial tribute to the working men in the oil fields. See Joinerville. The site of the Daisy Bradford No. 3 is about a mile north of Pioneer Park on C.R. 4136 and is marked by a 1936 pink granite marker. 866/650-5529, ext. 224.