Across the state line in Texas oil had been discovered and the Black Gold was coming to New Mexico.

Near the small ranching community of Maljama, on a hot summer day on  July 16th ,1926, oil was discovered in Lea County. The well brought in by the Maljamar Oil & Gas company, owned by William Mitchell, the founder of Maljamar./p> p> Oil, like the thunderstorms that race across the prairie bring both fire and water to the area and are a blessing and a curse. The range fire which races across the county burning patures and homes destroying the settlers means of life, while the rain, cooling the hot embers and providing the much needed moisture. /p>

Oil money and population growth are required for a county to survive, especially through the Great Depression of 1929, that was just around the corner.

TThe company histories listed below are just a few of the many companies that moved into Lea County providing jobs, growth and a way of living for thousands of oilfield hands.

Amerada Hess Corp

Continental Oil

Gulf Oil Corp