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.
City: Henderson
Region: Piney Woods
With so many amazing things to do in Texas, there’s not enough room to feature them all. So check out some popular attractions to see just how much fun your Texas vacation can be.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
City: Fritch
Region: Panhandle Plains
Billy Bob's Texas
City: Fort Worth
Region: Prairies and Lakes
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
City: Alto
Region: Piney Woods
Galveston Island Beach
City: Galveston
Region: Gulf Coast
The Alamo
City: San Antonio
Region: South Texas Plains
Devil’s Backbone
City: Wimberley
Region: Hill Country
Big Bend National Park
City: Big Bend National Park Area
Region: Big Bend Country
