Published in the early years of the great Panhandle oil & gas discoveries, this rare map captures the vibrant economy of the Amarillo area 100 years ago thanks to the fascinating range of businesses and services advertised in the borders. Besides the expected postings for real estate, oil leases, abstract work, maps and financial services - there are advertisements for 16 different automobile dealerships and garages, ranging from the Piece Arrow and Stutz to the Reo, Hupmobile and the Stephens Salient Six. No creature comfort was neglected either with advertisements for hotels, drug stores, diamonds and watches, “Victor” talking machines, tailors, Ladies’ ready-to-wear, staple and fancy groceries, fruits, oysters and “fish so fresh the wiggle is still in the tail”.
This finely detailed map records the tracts leased by six different pioneering oil companies operating in the Texas Panhandle: The Amarillo Oil Company, the Oil & Gas Pool Company, Empire Oil & Gas, Canadian Pool Oil Company, the Potter Pan Pool Oil Company and the Circle Field Oil Company. Numerous wells were marked as either drilling, producing, a gas well, abandoned or dry hole.
Of special note is a brief message by M.C. Nobles, Founder and President of the Amarillo Oil Company, noting the rapid growth and bright prospects for the entire area. Just before this map was published the Amarillo Oil Company had its first major strike on 70,000 acres leased from the Masterson and Bivins Ranches: a gas well at approximately 2400 feet producing over 12,000,000 cubic feet per day.
M.C. Nobles served on the Amarillo City Council, was an elder in the Presbyterian church, a charter member of the Masonic Lodge and along with his brother, helped organize the Amarillo Street Railway.
