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Title:
HARRY HINES LEASING & PRODUCING CO. | CAPITAL STOCK $500,000.00 | A JOINT STOCK ASSOCIATION OPERATING UNDER A DECLARATION OF TRUST. | - OIL LEASES ~ DRILLING CONTRACTS ~ PRODUCTION
- Author: Harry Hines
- Date: c.1923
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 46 x 49 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 116.84 x 124.46 [Paper}
- Product ID: 308288
Unrecorded Map of Texas Unveiling the Legacy of Harry Hines
The early years of the Texas oil industry gave birth to a rich tapestry of characters and archetypes that quickly became ingrained in the state's cultural identity. By the 1920s, three iconic figures had emerged as symbols of the oil boom, the wildcatter, the roughneck, and the go for broke oilman. These colorful characters not only captured the public's imagination but also contributed significantly to the state's economy. Their exploits and larger-than-life personas became the stuff of legend, inspiring countless stories, films, and cultural references. Harry Hines, with his entrepreneurial spirit and involvement in the oil industry, exemplified this new breed of Texan that arose during the petroleum boom.
Hines was a prominent Dallas businessman and public servant in the early 20th century. Although history records him as a well-to-do oil operator, very little was previously known about his endeavors in the energy industry. This map will add greatly to the scholarship of not only Hines, but to energy exploration and development in Texas c. 1925 and prior. It references hundreds of early energy development sites across Texas; oil fields, gas fields, refineries, pipelines, and oil companies.
The Map
Designed and executed in the name of boastful self-promotion, the map is delightfully unrefined. The toponyms are not particularly well executed, the material is substandard, but the wealth of information found on the map far exceed these shortcoming. On the map, the Harry Hines Co. claims control of 16,825 acres, with tracts ON STRUCTURE, ON PRODUCTION, … NEXT TO TIPPET WELL…, and 10 ACRES FAMOUS BURKBURNETT POOL in Wichita County. Hines claims control of 24 leases in 16 Texas counties, all west of a north-south line drawn from Blanco to Wichita Counties. Hine’s largest holdings are situated in Zapata County, with 7,605 total acres owned or controlled by Hines Leasing and Producing Company. It is reasonable to conclude Hines was heavily invested in the 1919 Zapata County discovery in the Mirando Valley.
While the map lacks a date and creator, one can surmise the approximate date with an examination of oil finds on the map, and those not on the map. While the Luling field is not identified per-se, there are wells situated in the vicinity, in the western portion of Caldwell County. Luling came into flush production in 1922. Missing from the map is the first flush production in the Permian Basin, the sensational Big Lake field. While test wells were drilled in 1921, subsequent exploration did not yield significant production until 1924, when the presence of commercial quantities of crude oil were proven. We therefore conclude the map can be dated circa 1923.
Non-Hines oil fields shown on the map include all the largest and most well known early finds in Beaumont, Goose Creek, Sour Lake, Mexia and many others. Also identified are hundreds of smaller discoveries and hopeful locations, some flush, others falling far short of wildcat aspirations.
An amusing and wisely heeded legend on the map claims Locations Approximate | This Map Prepared From Information Furnished Us We Are Not Responsible For Errors.
Background on Harry Hines, 1884 - 1954
Traces of Harry Hines contribution to the history of Texas are surprisingly, aggravatingly, and unjustly, sparse. A respected citizen, Hines was a Mason, a Shriner, and an elder in the First Christian Church. He served on the Texas Highway Commission from February 15, 1935 to April 11, 1941. For the first two years of his tenure, he served as chairman of the Texas Highway Commission. He was honored for his "distinguished service" as chairman of the Texas Highway Commission.
Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas was named after him in 1941 to honor his work on the Texas Highway Commission. The boulevard was one of the first 'highways' in Texas and was named for Hines in recognition of his efforts to get roads paved in that part of the state. There is a memorial plaque dedicated to Harry Hines at the intersection of Harry Hines Boulevard and Harwood Street in Dallas
In 1940, Harry Hines ran for governor of Texas but lost to W. Lee O'Daniel. While he was known as a respectable businessman and public servant in his time, the street named after him has since gained a reputation for less savory activities, which would likely have shocked Hines himself.
Rarity
Only known copy, not on OCLC.
Condition
Age related wear, old folds, with minimal loss and some staining along folds, marginal tears, staining and discoloration to title area. About fine for this unrecorded, historic survivor.
References
Olien, Roger M., Oil and Gas Industry, Handbook of Texas History, Texas State Historical Association, Published December 1, 1995.
Garza, Alicia and Long, Christopher, Zapata County, Handbook of Texas History, Texas State Historical Association, Published 1952.