The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Bland #1 blew in at 8:05 p.m., Aug. 17, 1913. “The well was said to ‘head’ like Old Faithful every 50 minutes and was the deepest well drilled in Texas at this time,” said Harvey Wilson of the Orangefield Cormier Museum.

Saturday marks the centennial of the first oil producing well in the Orange Oil Field. The celebration will begin at 3 p.m., Saturday with the opening of the Orangefield Cormier Museum.

A dedication ceremony for the State Historical Marker commemorating old Orangefield will be held at 5 p.m.

Barbecue dinners will be available for $8. Chad Jenkins said they have use of the Rose Thayer Dance Studio, so you can escape the heat to eat.

Live music begins after the dedication ceremony with Fire and Rain. They will open for Britt Godwin and BB & Company, who will start playing at 7 p.m.

Children should come dressed for play and bring towels because there will be plenty of activities for them. A $5 wrist band includes unlimited fun at the water slides, a petting zoo and an obstacle course. Snow cones and popcorn will also be offered.

“Come help us celebrate and see all of the new displays that we have added,” said Wilson.

Acadian Ambulance, the Corvette Club and the Model A Club will be on hand.

The Big Thicket Outlaws will put on an old west demonstration.

There will also be commemorative cups for $5, tee-shirts and caps for $10.

They’ve rigged the wooden replica derrick to blow water, representing the oil coming in.

At dark, weather permitting, there will be a fireworks show, so bring your lawn chairs.

The committee has worked hard to develop a fitting celebration for the centennial anniversary. They are still seeking volunteers to help the day of the event.

“We will need help in the museum for crowd control, safety, and sales of Tee-shirts and caps. We will also need help from about 5:30 until 8 p.m. in the food line,” said Wilson. “We hope to have enough people to do a shift of possibly an hour and a half.” To volunteer, call Wilson at home: 886-4804 or on his cell at: 409-670-8992.

“I do hope all of you will put this on your calendar,” he said.