Texas Oil Boom: 1894—1935

Early Oil Discoveries in Texas

• Before the big modern discovery, oil was known in Texas, used by Hernando de Soto's crew to repair their boats in the 1400s and by Native Americans for medicinal purposes.
• In the early 1800s, oil was used to grease wagon wheels, and in the late 1800s, it was used for lighting in kerosene candles.

The Birth of the Oil Industry in Texas

• In 1890, Lyne Barret drilled the first oil well at Oil Springs and set up a pipeline to Nacogdoches.
• In 1870, a water company hit oil while digging, and by 1900, Joseph Cullinan built the first refinery west of the Mississippi River.
• These events launched the "Age of Oil" in Texas, lasting from 1894 to 1935.

The Spindletop Discovery

• In 1901, a new drill bit was used at Spindletop, allowing drilling through a wider variety of soil and rock.
• The drillers hit an oil pocket so substantial that oil gushed 100 feet up for 9 days before it was capped.
• Within 2 years, Spindletop produced almost 18 million oil barrels.

The Oil Boom and Its Effects

• The discovery led to the creation of companies to invest in different parts of the oil industry (drilling, refining, various uses).
• Exxon, Texaco, and Gulf are examples of companies that emerged during this period and are still functioning today.
• The boom brought both positive and negative effects, including: • The emergence of boomtowns, such as Beaumont and Breckenridge, with rapid population growth. • Increased economic activity, job opportunities, and technological advancements. • Challenges like crime rate increases, infrastructure struggles, and environmental concerns. • The need for infrastructure development, including paved roads, banks, and telegraph offices.