This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Spindletop Gusher Spurs Texas Oil Boom Century
The Lucas gusher on Spindletop Hill, January 10 1901, sparked a Texas and U S oil boom. Beaumont transformed from a logging town to a major refining and petrochemical center as Corsicana and Corsicana fields earlier proved viability. Lucas Higgins and backers funded the strike with Mellon investors, creating Gulf Oil Texaco and links to Exxon Mobil. The 1902 peak output reached 17.5 million barrels, with Beaumont ceding to Houston as the national oil capital. The centennial celebration features Higgins descendants and a replica Lucas derrick with Former President Bush in attendance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Russia
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Texas Standard
Corsicana
Beaumont
Texas
Houston Chronicle
Gulf Coast
Smith
Gulf Oil Corp
Guffey
Chevron
Texaco
Spindletop
Howard Hughes Sr
Exxon Mobil Corp
Houston
U.S
Evelyn Lord
Louisiana
Gladys City
Jefferson County
Lucas
Texas Energy Museum
Lamar University
Bush
Lord
Higgins