American Oil and Gas Families EAST TEXAS INDEPENDENTS

This publication was prepared by the American Oil & Gas Historical Society. Much of the information contained

herein documents the travels of Bruce Wells, photographer and Executive Director of the Society, through East Texas

in September 2003, profiling several of America’s oil and gas families~and historic communities.

Oil and gas resources are organic, formed by the effects of heat and pressure on sediments trapped beneath the earth’s surface over millions of years. While ancient societies made some use of these resources, the modern petroleum age began less than a century-and-a-half ago. Advances in technology have steadily improved our ability to find and extract oil and natural gas, and to convert them efficiently to fuels and useful consumer products.

From fossil resources to products, the life cycle of oil and natural gas activity involves exploration, the drilling and completion of wells, production, site restoration, transportation, and refining or processing for use as a fuel or feedstock.

Contents

The Rest of the Story ...... 4

Supplying a Nation ...... 8

Innovation and Independents ...... 11

East Texas Today ...... 12

Profiles of Today’s Independents ...... 15

Documenting a Colorful History: Oil and Natural Gas Museums of the United States ...... 20 front cover: The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas, features an indoor re-creation of the region’s era of historic oil discoveries of the early 1930s – in what became the largest oilfield in the United States. “Boomtown, USA” is a full-scale town of stores, people, animals, and machinery. opposite page: eputable geologists, prospectors, and practical folk everywhere all said it. There was no oil in East A reflection of the oil industry’s history welcomes visitors to the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, Texas. Seventeen “dusters” drilled in Rusk County, Texas, confirmed that sentiment over and over. But Texas. Inside is a mural picturing the 1930 geologist “Doc” Lloyd and the widow Daisy Bradford, who let for one tenacious wildcatter in East Texas in 1927, those opinions didn’t mean a thing. Columbus him drill on her farm. After two dry R holes, the “Daisy Bradford No. 3” “Dad” Joiner saw black gold in the parched and arid land of East Texas, and he wasn’t planning on taking no for an discovered the nation’s largest oilfield. answer. Not from oilmen, not from his friends — not even from the land itself. For almost two years, Dad Joiner below: More than one million visitors have and an unlikely and ever-changing cast of roughnecks and roustabouts persevered through poverty and scorn, seen the wooden derrick outside the museum, which opened in 1980, the 50th anniversary of the burning everything from tires to fresh trees to power their drills. Daisy Bradford No. 1 was lost after six months and discovery, says Museum Director Joe White. He notes that the oilfield 1,000 feet because of a stuck pipe. Daisy Bradford No. 2 was lost after 11 months and 2,500 feet after the drill still produces considerable amounts of oil — using large and small pumping units or “donkeys,” pipe twisted off and blocked the hole. And then came Daisy Bradford No. 3. Spudded only 375 feet away from the the majority of which are manufactured in nearby Lufkin, second hole, Daisy Bradford No. 3 would prove almost everyone wrong, and one man very, very right. After 17 Texas. months of sporadic drilling, in October 1930, Daisy Bradford No. 3 yielded Dad Joiner his “ocean of oil” and in

so doing ushered in a sorely needed era of prosperity for East Texas — the oil boom. American Oil and Gas Families: eastindependents texas

3 The Rest of the Story

Daisy Bradford No. 3 certainly was not the process. With a flow of more than 100,000 opposite page: Independent operators drilled wells “All of East Texas waited expectantly quickly, with the quiet town of Kilgore first oil discovery in Texas. That credit barrels per day (more than the combined while Columbus Marion ‘Dad’ becoming the center of activity. At one belongs to Texas Native Americans who production of all the other wells in the Joiner inched his way toward oil. point there were 24 wells in one city block discovered surface oil in springs and tar pits, United States), Spindletop spurred people to Thousands crowded their way to the of Kilgore (“World’s Richest Acre”), and site of Daisy Bradford No. 3, hoping to one through the terrazzo floor of the using it to treat rheumatism or skin diseases. see oil’s true potential. Before Spindletop, oil be there when and if oil gushed from Kilgore National Bank. Another early discovery in Texas took place in was used primarily as an illuminant. the well to wash away the misery of the Corsicana in 1884, when town leaders were Afterward, it became the primary fuel for Great Depression.” – from The Glory The production in the East Texas oilfield Days, by Jack Elder and Caleb Pirtle III. eventually resulted in legislation being drilling for water. When they struck oil airplanes and automobiles. Even ships and passed — namely the Connally Hot Oil Act instead, they were infuriated because the trains that had previously run on the power of 1935, which was intended to protect below: black, sticky substance stuck to their boots of coal switched to oil. Spindletop’s copious In July 2003, the Texas House of foreign and interstate commerce against Representatives passed a resolution "contraband oil" and encourage the and shoes. Eventually, the oil caught fire and production not only sealed Texas’ future as an (H.R. 49) recognizing the 70th wedding conservation of United States crude oil almost burned down the town. oil capital, but also aided the United States in anniversary of Jack and Winter Elder. deposits. This act began a new chapter for The first oil “strike” in Texas was at Oil its efforts during World War I. Jack has ranched and worked in the East Texas and the domestic oil industry as East Texas oilfield and operated a a whole — the regulation era. Springs, near Nacogdoches, in 1866. The It wasn’t until a generation later that the photography studio in Kilgore, where well produced ten barrels a day. East Texas oilfield — the largest and most he thoroughly documented the town’s Oil and natural gas discoveries of the early The first “gusher”— both in Texas and prolific oil reservoir in the contiguous United boom era. Winter, a former Harvest 20th century changed the nation’s Festival Queen, has been a leading southwestern landscape from scattered the United States — was Spindletop, States — took center stage. Ironically, East advocate of promoting Kilgore’s history. agricultural communities to expanding, discovered in 1901 just outside of Beaumont. Texas was the last section of the state to be Not long ago she convinced town industrialized towns and cities. Refining Spindletop introduced to the world the explored for oil, since extensive geological leaders to restore some of the once improvements brought plentiful supplies of famous downtown derricks as historic gasoline for automobiles and plastics for a modern petroleum industry and tripled the testing had indicated that profitable attractions for visitors. new era of household products. Paved

American Oil and Gas Families: United States’ yearly production of oil in the production from the area was unlikely. roads ran parallel to railroad tracks. New county courthouses, schools, and hospitals were built on the proceeds from oil. Many parents wanted their children to become engineers to build bridges, even cities—

eastindependents texas and perhaps to help discover oil. By the 1920s, oil-producing fields were fueling steady improvements in standards of living in many areas of Texas.

4 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents

5

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 7 Offshore Drilling Rig Offshore Drilling Ocean Star below: Director for Lisa White, Operations the and Museum, manages the facility. and Museum, to take the skywalk out can Visitors part of the drill floor of the rig as board To their tour of the exhibits. visitors the drilling rig and museum, and enter through the Gift Shop take Center on Pier 20 and Ticket Lisa, the ramp up to the facility. four years who came to the museum ago with a degree in marine says an annual black-tie biology, Energy gala, hosted by the Offshore Center of Houston, recognizes industry pioneers and technological achievements in the offshore oil and gas industry and inducts those individuals into its Hall of Fame. The Henderson Times reportedTimes that The Henderson Kilgore boasted two auto dealerships and 23 auto dealerships and two boasted Kilgore The jobs, oil boom meant service stations. demand on the oilfields. Great and not just steel rope, and timber, lumber for arose pipe, casing, supplies. Shops and other cable, farmthat had once produced implements oil rigs. equipment for producing now were to food population needed The exploding to relax. and ways eat, places to sleep, a from overnight changed Kilgore “was headquarters to the stomping farmer’s ground of of hundreds hangers- oil scouts, on, and whatnots.” The 1929 discovery ofThe discovery 1929 oilfield Van the the field from production The massive by Pure Oil Corporation, Oil Pure with the along by of discovery subsequent No. Bradford Daisy with Texas, rushing East to 3, had explorers One independents drilling the first wells. H.L. Hunt, had limited developer, early but well, Texas East success with his first things. Hunt bigger on to much went 3 and other No. connected Daisy Bradford Company, Pipeline to form the Panola wells a vital transportation to network providing market. oil to Texas bring East and the influx of tradesmen, and people, Depression jobs made it seem that the Great of the rest hold over had taken — which the Texas. country East — had spared museum Ocean Star includes dockyards where massive includes dockyards rigs are refurbished. offshore drilling production from the outer Today’s of continental shelf in the Gulf 25 Mexico provides more than natural gas. percent of the nation’s opposite page: The view across Galveston Harbor The view across from the opposite page: opposite page: in Energy Museum The Texas the Beaumont was built to celebrate Spindletop. historic 1901 discovery at artifacts The museum displays many oil, from the early years of Texas including early 1900s service oilfield equipment technology, trucks. photographs, and gasoline refineries and other markets, the industry markets, and other refineries In August belowground. going by responded deep, started on a four-foot 1942, excavation wide, and 1,254-mile long trench three-foot to the way oilfield all Texas the East from Two City and Philadelphia. York New laid: pipelines were “Big Inch,” a 24-inch transportingpipeline for crude oil, and “Little Big Inch,” pipeline for a 20-inch they carried more Together products. refined than 350 million barrels of crude oil and the to the East Coast before products refined 1945. in May ended in Europe war

The vast riches of riches The vast oilfield Texas the East In the early halfIn the early of the 20th century, and the world, the United States throughout was and gasoline kerosene the demand for as the such New inventions skyrocketing. finding other sources automobile necessitated helped oilfield Texas The East power. for one of the United States make world’s the it major oil exporters almost since the day discovered. was World efforts in vital to the nation’s were When German submarines began II. War sinking American oil tankers routinely to en route Texas north from traveling

Marian Stampley has been a Marian Stampley has been the part-time staff member of Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown the Museum since 2001. Among 15 buildings of the re-created by oilfield boomtown — operated — Lamar University in Beaumont is a gift shop brimming with and postcards, books, videos maps that chronicle the dramatic 1901 discovery. Supplying a Nation Supplying below:

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 8

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 10 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 11 2001 60% 40% SOURCE: IPAA, SOURCE: Oil Production Pioneer Drilling Company rigs drill deep to find Pioneer Drilling Company many other Texas oil and natural gas where San Antonio- pioneers have searched. The day work, or based company provides turnkey, independent footage contract drilling for Texas. producers with leases in East 18,000 feet, With rigs that can reach services to Pioneer provides drilling and gas independent and major oil exploration and production companies, including providing the drilling crews and most of the ancillary equipment needed to operate the drilling rigs. The company conducts its operations and East Texas. primarily in South Texas Pioneer drilled wells for Last year, 64 different customers. 35% 65% Production Natural Gas Natural 15% 85% Independents Majors Wells Drilled Wells When combined, the oil and natural gas enable oil and gas companies to accurately oil and gas enable their reduce pinpoint underground resources, “footprint,”environmental money save and New technologies and time in the process. existing from recovery increased also have considered those that are including wells, “marginal.” produces well gas A marginal of60,000 cubic feet or per day natural gas 10 barrels produces oil well less; a marginal of or less. oil per day using these and other advances by produced toward a long way in technology can go oil. lessening our dependence on overseas California. They play a critical role in ural Appalachia, offshore Gulf of Mexico, petroleum remains a significant part of our

With America consuming 25 percent of consuming 25 percent America With many the way has changed Technology Today, with major integrated oil companies Today, development, on overseas mainly focused ofensuring continued production domestic of on the shoulders falls oil and natural gas independent companies. day, every oil produced the world’s of sources encouraging domestic oil and our nation’s is essential for natural gas economic health and energy security. and the petroleum companies do business, industry Cutting-edge is no different. seismic mapping, coiled like technologies tubing drilling, systems sensing and remote The Vital Role of Small Companies in Exploration and Production in the United States Role of Small Companies in The Vital and urban landscapes in ensuring that domestic energy portfolio. nation’s There is no doubt the United States will rely on oil and natural There is no doubt the United States will rely on oil and is how much of our uncertain What’s gas well into this century. sources critical petroleum supplies will come from domestic and how much must be imported. is to Small independent producers play a key role. If our nation gas supplies, maintain abundant, reliable domestic oil and natural and it will need to depend on small, independent exploration the lower- production companies. The role of small companies in as major 48 states has grown dramatically since the mid-1980s, exploration integrated energy companies began concentrating their areas and production in frontier areas such as the deep offshore off the U.S. coasts and foreign countries. Thousands of small independent companies, most employing fewer than 20 people, now account for 40% of U.S. oil and 65% of natural gas production r in settings as diverse as

below: An offshore platform operated by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, in the an independent producer, Gulf of Mexico. opposite page: opposite page: Roughnecks of Pioneer Drilling Company Rig No. 10 at work. wells are drilled Most of today’s typically in search of natural gas, found in deeper geological formations, sometimes three miles below the surface. Innovation and Independents Innovation Photo courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Petroleum Anadarko of courtesy Photo In just 10 days, Kilgore went from a quiet from went Kilgore In just 10 days, The of original residents had Kilgore greatest of concentration in the wells oil pumped 2.5 million that — wells world barrels of of oil during 30 years production. one ofAll but derricks the original was 1960s. dismantled in the early offarming town to the 600 residents about epicenter of oil boom. More Texas the East finding to Kilgore, than 10,000 people flocked they could. Oil housing wherever or building drilled on virtually street every were wells corner to 1,200 within close and numbered the city limits at the height of the oil boom. Some of today. still producing are the wells livestock, in the lumber, made their living of and cotton industries. Many poultry, those today. still vital to Kilgore industries are Kilgore celebrates its rich history its rich by celebrates Kilgore the stops include Other notable “world’s this museum is home to the only existing oil existing to the only this museum is home The oilfield was oilfield. Van derrickthe from the first ofTexas in Northeast established five during the 1930s. also held each hosting an annual Derrick Fest, place amid the takes The festival October. Kilgore. historic oil derricks downtown in entertainment,From to arts and crafts, to something there’s and clowns, games, food, An festival. at this two-day everyone for as as well rig is on display, authentic oil well the oilfield industry. other equipment from acre”richest park, located at Main and A Kilgore. in downtown Streets Commerce details about the provides historical marker plot of1.2-acre housed the land that once A stop in Van in October offers visitors in October offers Van A stop in a parade, special include Events a cotton but nothing here “There was Oil Area Van also is home to the Van All you need to do to understand how East how need to do to understand All you there past is to vacation their value Texans in the fall. a much-loved for residents to join a chance Tea, Texas to Toast — A annual event Oil Festival. Van as the otherwise known a 5K run,exhibits, talent contests, and an Oil Queen Pageant. gin and a grocery store,” director festival says Mark Christie. “Then, the in 1929, when ofrest went we broke, going the country was boom with oil.” Museum. Located in an old warehouse Oil Co., the Pure in 1930 by built originally

The memories of early oil discoveries live on. The East Texas tax legacy includes local oilfield’s and royalty revenues that helped bring new schools, open new businesses, and build roads. Among the city parks, a Dallas-based Lone “Joe Roughneck” Star Technologies statue acknowledges the region’s exploration and production heritage. below: opposite page: opposite page: the East For almost nine decades, family State Fair has been a Texas all of and event for the city of Tyler Growing, “Working, East Texas. the Caring, Sharing – Come Join 89th Fun” is the theme for the scheduled for Annual Fair, 2, 2004. September 23 to October East Texas Today Texas East

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 12 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 13 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 14 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 15 Mickey and his brother Denny worked Denny and his brother Mickey for to work left Kilgore In 1967, Mickey Clogged flow lines have always been a the Formation, problem of the Woodbine primary producing sand of the East Texas oilfield. Since the 1930s independent producers have struggled with the oil’s Mickey says high asphalt consistency. there is even heavier crude oil in the County of East Texas. Wood summers and weekends on family oil and gas on family summers and weekends earningleases while their degrees: Mickey’s and University Austin Stephen F. from State University. Texas North from Denny’s Deposit Insurance Commission in the Federal in his family rejoined but D.C., Washington, The quickly business in 1972. Kilgore new and the Smiths bought expanded “swab rigs”and workover their original kept but sentimental reasons. truck for wireline “We with a lot of the years ended up over hot oil truckstrucks used to heat oil — oil treating out the paraffin oil tanks and clean that from accumulated along the sides and several on the bottom,” thick inches says. Mickey “My parents had to do everything they had to do everything “My parents himself Mickey, Today, a former mayor carpentry Marvin died in Smith, who work, become would in what 1995, roughnecked history East — the oilfield in U.S. the largest oilfield. Texas Marvin’s a living,”could to make Mickey, says son. “Dad ended up being a contract pumper and he looked a guy he helped drill wells, for 46 years.”The the next for after those wells servicesenior Smith started company: his own out He cleaned business. wireline an oil well pipes the paraffin that accumulated inside well to the pumped or flowed as the oil was Oilfield is still known Texas The East surface. paraffin the high of content for its oil. of and former Gregg Kilgore County judge, Inc., with his Oil Company, operates Four-S Sue Holland. Sanny and sister, Denny, brother, l and gas resources. l and gas TARTING EARLY S in his admired greatly Marvin Smith was home of he started where his Texas, Kilgore, on the heels of business family’s the great running a When he wasn’t 1930s oil boom. or doing milk, delivering paper route, Profiles ofProfiles Independents Today’s The domestic oil industry has changed oil Large the last 15 years. over significantly their efforts focused overseas, companies have to production and gas domestic oil leaving independent companies. Independent of 40 percent account for operators now the of oil and 65 percent the natural gas they Together in the United States. produced of in the recovery a major role play our nation’s domestic oi below: D. Smith Independent producer Mickey Four-S operates the Kilgore-based the help of Production Company with sister Sanny Sue Holland, pictured, and The Marvin A. Smith brother Denny. which opened Regional Juvenile Center, in 1999, is a legacy of the community pictured in center. spirit of their father, opposite page: opposite page: community “City of the Stars” brings of pride to the oil and gas heritage miniature The downtown Kilgore, Texas. derricks await the next holiday. What began as a one-person operation has added state-of- family the Together, reason, they didn’t care if care they didn’t reason, in the two it was dad because they call my They’d morning. that rig running. rig is A drilling wanted 365 running,running, a day, 24 hours always a year.” days at the brink of a the oil boom is today joined the A.P. 60-person company. thriving general in 1968 and soon became business ofmanager Tommy Brothers the company. is a Tommy joined soon after. and Mike state legislator represents who Republican ofthe town north just of Longview, serves as Their mother Margaret Kilgore. chairman of is Merita, the sister, the board. taught She teacher. school public a retired of the value oilfield workers many work hard says. education, A.P. and a good the customer the-art to expand technologies is Tool Merritt the oil patch. base beyond machine among the most advanced now Texas. shops in But hard work was not the only tradition only not the was work But hard The flashing quite a display. “It was In 1928, Merritt started Sr. his own crews have to be dependable above all else. above to be dependable have crews will wake time, but a good to have They like to work,”up and go he says. “The guys who to work.” dad knew how with my worked had Sr. grew up with. At Christmas, A.P. A.P. They all decorated up as elves. his sons dress ofthe front with the oilfield tool shop of the children decorations for holiday (and his elves) Santa Claus Inevitably, Kilgore. set off out candy, hand would and fireworks, groups. choral host local high school they were look like lights made the reindeer running,” people come “I still have A.P. says out here coming they remember up and say and listening to the music,” he adds. “My to be got until we elves and I were brothers liking the girls,” began we when about twelve, be wouldn’t told him we he admits. “We anymore.” those leotards wearing — hand-sharpening drill bits at company any for sites. well down “When a rig went usk, and surrounding egg, R egg, “Roughnecking in an oilfield builds a in an oilfield builds “Roughnecking Theand his sons eventually senior Smith Sue and Sanny Denny, Mickey, Today, LWAYS RUNNING counties. The company has become sizeable. The company counties. says, “In this kind of Mickey However, rigs that older to keep got have you business, new the for pay shape to help you in good are as the new just as much They make ones. know.” ones, you A for work ethic means hard “The oilfield work work,” hard mainly but A.P. says great reward, Merritt chief Jr., operating officer of Merritt Inc. Company, Tool A.P.’s is based observation toil his father watched He experience. on real Texas’ years. many oilfields for in East claims. ethic,”“Drilling work strong A.P. would sell their swabbing business stock to stock business their swabbing sell would buy-out an eventual allowing their employees, company. their own owning with the employees well individual on improving work oil and sell and continue to buy production in Gr production below: Oilfield supply company president began working father Merritt’s A.P. he started in oilfields in the 1920s; – hand his own company in 1928 son sharpening drill bits. Today, home has Kilgore Merritt’s A.P. from a been carefully converted the 19th century yam barn. Along knotted pine original East Texas walls are impressive oil paintings who lives nearby. by his daughter, opposite page: opposite page: Merritt and many other A.P. gather at T.J.’s producers frequently Merritt Tool Circle Café near Most say the Company in Kilgore. fried cafe has the best chicken steak in the county.

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 16 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 17 opposite page: A.P. continues to build and hone his Carlos “Scooter” Griffin, president of The costs of producing from reservoirs One downtown block in Kilgore, relationships with independent producers and Geo-Vest, Inc. “We are stewards of the land.” that require more and more risk, effort, and actually about 1.2 acres, once had the greatest concentration of oil wells in believes that they dominate today’s oil Scooter says people critical of domestic expense govern Scooter’s business decisions. the world — producing more than 2.5 exploration and production, “just like they oil producers should fly into Gregg County Once “plugged,” a well is very expensive to be million barrels of oil. Less did in the 1930s.” He often hosts events for Regional Airport and see for themselves the reopened, even when prices return to concentrated outside the city limits, today East Texas pumping units dot the customers and Gregg County civic groups at unpolluted environment of pine woods and economic levels. He notes that, “providing countryside for 25 miles. his home. His home is a former yam barn, the families like his who keep production tax incentives for marginal production makes built in 1903. The heart pinewood still keeps going decade after decade. Ranchers, oilfield sense because many states and their royalty below: “We take a lot of pride in what we do. termites away, he says. Inside are several service company employees, and royalty owners depend on tax revenues and income We take care of the environment of our paintings by one of his daughters, who lives owners who depend on the production also from oil and gas. Nationally, thousands of oilfield,” says independent producer nearby. Outside, the Merritt’s lawn recently would welcome the visit, he says. such wells make a significant contribution Carlos B. “Scooter” Griffin, whose family’s 150-year ranching heritage served as the setting for a Junior Achievement Great-grandfather L.P. Griffin, an East when added up.” He started drilling to has been recognized with a state awards ceremony. “My wife likes it when we Texas rancher, originally got the family oil 11,000 feet two years ago, and has seen flow stewardship award. “I am born to a host one of these things… it makes me clean business started. Today, Geo-Vest operates 52 rates exceed 5 million cubic feet per day (he place my family settled in 1849.” up the front yard,” says A.P. oil and natural gas wells over 9,000 acres of calls them barnburners). Scooter’s older wells Originating during the East Texas oil family leasehold. Scooter’s father, Carlos Sr., produce an average of 100,000 cubic feet a boom, in 1933 Tyler began hosting its S TEWARDS OF THE LAND runs the 1,300-acre ranch, which includes a day of gas and less than 10 barrels of oil a annual Rose Festival. In nearby Kilgore, the Kilgore College Although the boom days of the 1930s 40-acre manmade lake that’s well stocked day. “Those old wells are how I’ve made my Rangerettes first performed in 1940 — saw excesses harmful to the environment, with catfish and bass. The Griffin family’s living,” he says. “I have even plugged wells pioneers in the field of dancing drill ranching roots are typical of independents in that today, looking back, I wish I had never teams now seen across the nation. those days are long past. Today, state and federal regulations closely govern everything East Texas. Last year, his mother and father plugged,” says Scooter. “If I had known that about drilling and producing in the East received the prestigious Texas Family Land prices would be where they are today, I would Texas oilfield. Heritage award for having their ranch under not have plugged them, I could still be “We are not out to contaminate land our continuous agricultural production for more producing from those plugged wells.” family has been living on for 150 years,” says than 150 years. American Oil and Gas Families attxs independents :texas east

19 Texas leads all states in the U.S. in oil Texas and natural gas production, exceeded only by the Federal offshore. East Texas — the land between the Sabine and rivers — is Southern in character, Trinity with pine-covered hills, cypress swamps, plantations. and remnants of Civil War oilfield reaches The massive East Texas Gregg, Rusk, Smith, into parts of Upshur, and Cherokee counties. In 2003, it accounted for approximately 5 percent of the oil and 19 percent of the natural gas produced in Texas. A common roadside sight in East the derrick-roofed picnic table. Texas: The showpiece ofThe showpiece called diorama USA.” the museum is a life-size “Boomtown decades. visited the museum in the last two million people have than one More miles of two Within This the Gaston Museum. 3 stands No. Daisy Bradford you’ll and present, past industry, oil and gas learn about our nation’s more To Documenting a Colorful History: Colorful a Documenting With a history as rich as its product, the East Texas oilfield and the people who Texas the East a history as its product, as rich With at the subjects, celebrated fascinating the oil boom are made their mark during College. Museum at Kilgore Oil Texas East the and experience 1930s Kilgore from street a re-created down can stroll Visitors oflives hoping to find their came to town who and roughnecks the wildcatters equipment as the tools and as well fortunes. line the street, Old-time businesses day. that oil drillers used every 24th anniversary. 2004, marks the museum’s This year, of a glimpse museum gives the 1960s. the 1930s through from life Texas East an oilfield tent house tent house — surviving known the only It preserves a permanent into converted dwelling. the located throughout museums and private than the public find no better sources pages. a partialUnited States. For listing, see the following The East Texas Museum and others offer “oil The East Texas patch” education and preservation programs.

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 20 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 21 seum hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Thursday, seum hours are Tuesday, afternoon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum ner of the state, 45 minutes north of Evansville, Museum of Science and Industry, Petroleum Planet and Industry, Museum of Science then chairman Julius Rosenwald, Chicago businessman 1933 created America’s of Sears Roebuck & Co., in enlightenment.” Rosenwald first center for “industrial restored the Palace of Fine Arts, the last and converted Fair, from the 1893 World’s remaining major structure museum where visitors into a new type of American not just view displays could interact with the exhibits, permanent exhibit, the and artifacts. A recently added and interactive looks Petroleum Planet, offers innovative and transportation distillation, at petroleum chemistry, – Petroleum Planet is and the many finished products. It is except December 25. open every day of the year, Shore Drive, Chicago, IL located at 57th St. and Lake for more information. 60637. Call (773) 684-1414 www.msichicago.org/exhibit/petroleum Website: River Refinery History Museum Wood Formerly known as the Shell History Museum, this of museum was established in 1986 by a small group retirees who used a small trailer to sort, categorize, and store the historical artifacts. In 1992, Shell volunteers began renovating an unused research building adjacent The museum has over 1,000 artifacts and to the refinery. progress from 1917 offers a visual review of the refinery’s to the present. Exhibits, photo displays, and a videotape Located River Refinery. tell the story of the Shell Wood along Route 111 in Roxana, the museum is open from except and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday arrange large holidays. There is no admission charge. To group tours, please call (618) 255-3718 or write to Wood Box 76, Roxana, IL River Refinery History Museum, P.O. www.wrrhm.org 62084-0076. Website: County Museum Wabash Oil has been important to the economy of Wabash County since 1912, when the first well was drilled on the Lucy Courter lease. A discovery of oil at Griffin, Indiana, in 1938 led to an oil boom at Keensburg, The Oil Boom Exhibit at County. in southern Wabash in a red brick County Museum is housed the Wabash Italianate house, one-half block from the business 3rd Street, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863. district, at 119 W. Mt. Carmel is on Illinois Routes 1 and 15 in the south- east cor Mu Indiana. Sunday Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Tours is closed Easter, may be scheduled for groups at other times by calling www.museum.wabash.il.us (618) 262-8774. Website: five days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers, is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting artifacts, books, p.m. Tours are given for schoolchildren and p.m. Tours the west side of Kern County. The museum, the west side of Kern County. ment that tell the story of oil in California. The and may be arranged by calling (661) 765-6664. Illinois Illinois Oil Field Museum and Resource Center This museum, still growing with a new building under construction, is located at the 4-H fairground, outside Oblong, off Illinois Route 33. Exhibits include machinery used in Crawford County and surrounding counties during the early 1900s. Visitors will find large oil rigs, motors, and other equipment both inside the building and outside on the grounds. The Illinois Oil Field Museum Foundation has acquired a 5-acre tract adjacent to the Village of Oblong with the goal of erecting a new museum building to more adequately display the collection. For more information on the Oil Field Museum and to book tours Box 69, Oblong, IL call (618) 544-3087 or write to P.O. www.theonlyoblong.com/oil_field 62449. Website: Kern County Museum Kern County opened “Black Gold: newly Museum’s The Kern County science, technology, The Oil Experience” is a permanent interactive facility includes and history exhibition. The surrounded by 2.3 acres. a 9,640-square-foot exhibition of how oil was created, It presents a complete overview and extraction throughout different methods of discovery of industry workers and and the changing role history, Monday through Saturday, their families. Hours are 5 p.m. The Kern 12 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, at 3801 Chester Avenue, County Museum is located Bakersfield, CA 93301. Call (661) 852-5000 for more www.kcmuseum.org information. Website: Kern Oil Museum West Oil Museum, Inc., located at 1168 Wood Kern The West California is dedicated to preserving the Street in Taft, heritage of run entirely by preserving, and equip open museum is and it is open Sunday from through Saturday, Tuesday 1 p.m. to 4 adults Website: CA 93268. Box 491, Taft, The address is P.O. www.westkern-oilmuseum.org .O. Box call (251) 843-2501. California California Oil Museum This museum in Santa Paula is housed in a restored Queen Anne Italianate-style building, built in 1890 by the Union Oil Company. Exhibits tell the story of the “black bonanza” that created wealth, work, and prosperity for generations of Californians. The museum highlights the inner workings of the oil industry through interactive displays, videos, working models, games, photographs, restored gas station memorabilia, and an authentic turn-of-the-century cable-tool drilling rig. Visitors see how Native Americans used natural oil seeps, watch a miniature drilling rig bore into the earth, and experience “wildcatting” for petro- leum. Located at 1001 East Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93061. Call (805) 933-0076 for more information. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Website: through Sunday, Wednesday www.oilmuseum.net Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Arkansas Museum of Natural and Brine Formerly the Arkansas Oil examples Museum, the museum has of Arkansas’ oil and brine industries and an adjacent oilfield park. Outdoor exhibits include four derricks, including a 1930s standard rig with a 112-foot derrick, and equipment depicting historic and modern production methods. A 25,000-square-foot exhibition center has both permanent and temporary exhibits. Admission is free. 9 a.m. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Closed New Year’s Eve, and Christmas. The museum is located at 3853 AR 71762. Call (870) Smackover, Smackover Hwy., www.amnr.org 725-2877 for more information. Website: Alabama Museum Choctaw County Historical fossil collection This small museum’s giant whale that includes the vertebrae of a sea that once swam in the prehistoric from Bottles of oil covered Choctaw County. at Gilbertown (1944) are exhibited. first oil well Alabama’s the intersection of Alabama The museum is located at is 17 and County Road 14. The address Hwy. P Arkansas 162, Gilbertown, AL 36908. For hours 162, Gilbertown, AL 36908. museums — and host the legacies of wildcat

Hours of particularly vary, operation may Among prominent museums dedicated Among prominent

making your journey. journey. making your at small museums, so it is best to call before

also have several energy-related museums. several also have Museum in Kilgore. Kansas and Oklahoma Museum in Kilgore. Beaumont, Texas; and the East Texas Oil Texas and the East Texas; Beaumont, in Midland and the Spindletop Museum in County, California; the Petroleum Museum California; the Petroleum County, Titusville, Pennsylvania; two museums in Kern two Pennsylvania; Titusville, to oil and gas are the Drake Well Museum in Well the Drake are to oil and gas public events honoring events public made them. and the pioneers who discoveries community oil and gas gas community oil and Many ofMany the states”“producing support innovators who helped build an industry. helped build who innovators wildcatting legacy and the generations of wildcatting legacy and the generations provide fascinating insights into the fascinating provide gas industry. Their and websites collections industry. gas devoted to the history ofdevoted the oil and natural museums throughout the United States the United museums throughout This partial is a of listing and private public Oil and Natural Gas Museums of Museums Gas and Natural Oil States United the New York Pioneer Oil Museum The Pioneer Oil Museum, run by a small staff of volunteers, is located in Bolivar, The museum preserves Allegheny County. and the history of southwestern New York northwestern Pennsylvania oil regions. Its collection specifically describes the history of the industry in Allegheny and Cattaraugus Counties and includes The and local history. photographs, maps, machinery, Box 332, Bolivar, museum is located at Main St., P.O. NY 14715. The museum is open between Memorial Day 10 a.m. to through Saturday, Tuesday and Labor Day, www.rin.buffalo.edu/c_alle/comm/cult/ 4 p.m. Website: muse/agen/pioneer.html Louisiana Museum The International Petroleum and Exposition – Rig Museum offshore The museum depicts the early can walk aboard an Visitors oil industry. Charlie,” “Mr. authentic offshore drilling rig, wells off the coast of Morgan which drilled hundreds of 1954 to 1986. It was the City in the Gulf of Mexico from drilling rig — and an first transportable, submersible current offshore rig technology. industry springboard to the save, preserve, and is to gather, mission The museum’s about the offshore interpret artifacts and information others concerning the petroleum industry and to educate The Cajun-born industry. impact and significance of banks of Atchafalaya River at museum is located on the Morgan City. Waterway, the intersection of Intercoastal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are Monday through Saturday, LA 70381. Box 1988, Morgan City, Mailing address is P.O. Call (985) 384-3744 for more information. Website: www.rigmuseum.com Caddo-Pine Island Oil and Historical Museum is The Caddo-Pine Island Oil and Historical Museum dedicated to the history and preservation of northwest natural resources. This is one of the few Louisiana’s where a remaining regions with undisturbed oil history, country drive reveals steel derricks in the pine forests. City, The original bank building and post office of Trees one of the first U.S. oil company towns built by the famous wildcatter Mike Benedum, are preserved Oil on the museum grounds. The museum is located in 20 miles north of Shreveport on State Highway about City, to 1. Admission to the museum is free. Hours are 9 a.m. Call noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. (318) 995-6845 for more information. Website: www.members.aol.com/CaddoPine/ The Kansas Oil and Gas Hall of Fame & Museum and Gas Hall of Fame The Kansas Oil Bend by a was founded in 1990 in Great The museum the history of the oil and group interested in preserving houses the Kansas Oil The main building gas industry. Drilling and Completion Room and Gas Hall of Fame. The explains the procedures for has a model drilling rig and “intent” to running the open drilling a well from filing the total depth. The museum hole log when the rig reaches Patton Road. Call (620) 793- is located on 10th Street past more information or to set 5742 or (620) 792-7033 for museum. Admission is free. up an appointment to visit the www.greatbend.com/visitor/oilgasha.htm Website: Oil Museum Hill City Chamber of Commerce Graham County is 12 miles The Hill City Oil Museum in an oil derrick on west east of Morland. Located beneath tells the story of oil the museum Highway 24 in Hill City, from deep formations in northwest Kansas. The museum opened in May 1958. Call (785) 421-5621 for more information or to set up an appointment to visit the museum. Admission to the museum is free. Website: www.ruraltel.net/gced/oil.htm Norman No. and Museum 1 Oil Well exhibits include an outdoor replica This small museum’s at of the first oil well west of the Mississippi. It is located First and Main, Neodesha, KS 66757. Call (620) 325-5316 for information and hours. Wilson County Website: www.neodygrads.com/pages/museum/norman.html Stevens County Gas and Historical Museum The Stevens County Gas and Historical Museum was the established in May 1961 to preserve the heritage of of Hugoton Gas Field and the progressive development A natural gas well drilled in 1945 is still Stevens County. display at the site. equipment is also on producing. Well KS The museum is located at 905 S. Adams, Hugoton, 67951. It is open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Other to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 2 p.m. Friday, times by appointment. Call (620) 544-8751 for more http://skyways.lib.ks. information. Website: us/towns/Hugoton/museum.html Oil Patch Museum oil The Oil Patch is a place to see, feel, and learn about and the machines for producing it. The story and events of the history of oil in Russell County are vividly portrayed at the Oil Patch. The museum of the Russell County Historical Society tells the story and events that make up the dramatic history of this area. The museum is located at 331 Kansas St., Russell, KS 67665. Call (785) 483-3637 for more information. Hours are daily 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., All other times are by Memorial Day through Labor Day. appointment. Admission to the museum is free. Website: www.rchs.rwisp.com museum located at 39 N. Washington Street, Knightstown, located at 39 N. Washington Kansas Oil Museum The Kansas Oil Museum and the Kansas Oil and Gas Legacy Gallery in El Dorado are operated under the auspices of the The Butler County Historical Society. Kansas is dedicated to the history of the discovery and development of the oil industry in the state of Kansas. growth from 1860 to the It celebrates the oil industry’s its present, with emphasis on the El Dorado Field and pioneers. The museum incorporated in 1956 and moved to its current location in 1977. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The museum is closed Sunday Monday through Saturday. p.m. except during May to October when it is open from 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is located at 383 E. Central Ave., El Dorado, KS 67042. Call (316) 321-9333 for more www.skyways.org/museums/kom information. Website: Indiana Museum Texaco Trump’s Old National East of Indianapolis along the to visit Trump’s Road, stop in Knightstown Museum with its displays of nostalgia Texaco 40 bustled with from the 1950s, when U.S. museum is housed in an old cross-country travelers. The Gas the location of Tydol service station, which was once the 2,000- opened in 1996, and Texaco Station. Trump’s everything from gas pumps square-foot museum houses from the 1920s. The “gas with globes to oil cans dating people stop to buy gas. The station” looks so authentic that museum is to visit this museum IN. For directions and an appointment www. is free. Website: call (765) 345-7135. Admission southernin.com/Pages/archives/april_00/henry_county.html Red Crown Mini-Museum by The Red Crown Mini-Museum is a gas station built Standard Oil Company of Indiana in 1928 and operated until 1979. The interior and exterior is filled with gas Crown station memorabilia, mostly related to Standard and of Gasoline. For information, call the Knightstown Chamber at Commerce at (800) 668-1895. The museum is located the corner of 6th and South streets in downtown Lafayette, is a “walk by” This County Library. next to Tippecanoe is museum and can be viewed at any time. Admission www.oldgas.com/info/redcrown.htm free. Website: Drilling Rig and Museum features Drilling Rig and Museum Ocean Star The an exhibit displaying the many products made from oil.

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 22 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 23 The Texas Energy Museum in Beaumont exhibits the Energy Museum The Texas chemistry of hydrocarbons. learning y. The exhibit y. the philosophy, the philosophy, nd virtual realit Penn-Brad Oil Museum Penn-Brad Oil Oil Museum preserves The Penn-Brad of an oil country community spirit, and accomplishments early oil boom times of the by taking visitors back to the oil field. Guided tours are first billion-dollar nation’s country veterans who volunteer conducted by over 100 oil experiences. The museum, their time to relate firsthand McKean 219, Custer City, just south of Bradford on Rt. Exhibits Labor Day. is open Memorial Day through County, of exploring for oil. The describe past and present methods few remaining wooden oil museum features one of the of the historic displays were Many derricks in the country. donated to the museum by the found in local homes and of Oil. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., neighbors in the Valley until 5 p.m. Sunday, and noon Monday through Saturday, more information For Day. Memorial Day through Labor write to The Penn-Brad Oil Museum, 50 Parkway Lane, www.bradford- 16701. Website: Bradford, PA online.com/pennbrad Museum of Art, Science and Industry Venango located Industry, Museum of Art, Science and The Venango non-profit general museum that is a private, in Oil City, and offers displays about early oil exploration, discovery, production in the surrounding area. Changing interactive exhibits are also offered. The museum is open Tuesday 11 a.m. to to 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. through Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 270 4 p.m., and Sunday, 16301-1304. Call (814) 676-2007 PA Seneca St., Oil City, www.ibp.com/pit/venango for more information. Website: hall is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., hall is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is located at and Sunday, One Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, TX 77030. For www.hmn information call (713) 639-4629. Website: methods such as computer graphics, touch screens, holographic video displays, a Texas Houston Museum of Natural Science Among the comprehensive energy exhibits, the Houston Museum of Wiess Energy Hall Natural Science’s explores the application of scientific concepts and advanced technology Visitors can explore the entire in the oil and gas industry. process of energy development, from how oil and natural gas are formed to the ways in which various types of energy are used. The hall incorporates interactive Pennsylvania Museum Drake Well Museum collects, Drake Well founding preserves, and interprets the Edwin of the oil industry by “Colonel” by Drake for residents and visitors the persons, places, and educating its audiences about of the petroleum events important to the development a global enterprise. The industry and its growth into the beginning of the modern museum tells the story of videos, exhibits, operating oil industry with orientation and historic historic photographs, oilfield machinery, most It showcases the world’s buildings in a park setting. material focusing on significant collection of documentary including the industry, the beginning of the petroleum from well records Oil Company, papers of the Seneca Rock maps, petroleum and Pithole, over 800 the Oil Creek Valley periodicals, diaries of oilmen, pamphlets, and more. Monday through Saturday, Hours: May through October, noon to 5 p.m.; November 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 5 p.m., 9 a.m. to through Saturday, through April, Tuesday to 5 p.m. The address is Drake Well noon Sunday, 16354. Call PA Museum, 205 Museum Lane, Titusville, (814) 827-2797 or fax to (814) 827-4888 for more www.drakewell.org information. Website: Center The Pithole Visitors Rt. 227 south of off The Pithole Visitors Center, is an abandoned oil County, Pleasantville, in Venango boomtown that sprang up on the Thomas Holmden 15,000 people lived Farm in May 1865. By September, in Pithole. A combination of oil running out, major fires at wells, and new wells in nearby places caused the population to shrink to less than 2,000 by 1866. Today a little remains of the boomtown except cellar holes in Visitors can walk the paths of former hillside meadow. the streets and view a scale model of the city at its peak in is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, which center, and weekends in September through Saturday, Wednesday and October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marland Oil Museum The Marland Estate has several small historic museums housed in original buildings that have been restored. The Marland Oil Museum presents the saga of the amazing Visitors early oil company. Marland’s success of E. W. the industry that made learn about the Marland family, it possible, and the oil boomtown. The estate is open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. daily, OK It is located at 901 Monument Road, Ponca City, 74604. Call (800) 422–8340 for more information. www.marlandmansion.com/Pages/mmaroil.html Website: Oklahoma Healdton Oil Museum The opening of the Healdton oil field in 1913 set into motion one greatest oil booms, of Oklahoma’s establishing southern Oklahoma as a major petroleum area. By 1937, this field, the largest had produced of nine such fields located in Carter County, most over two million barrels of oil, making it one of the story productive pools in the state. The museum tells the of oil development in Carter County and provides a glimpse is into the early days of oil boomtowns. The museum located at 315 East Main Street, Healdton, OK 73438. Admission is 76 to East Main in Healdton. State Hwy. Take 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. free. Hours are Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Oklahoma Historical Society maintains these hours; due to limited staffing, the museum may occasionally be closed. Call (580) 229-0900 for more www.healdton.org information. Website: Ken Miller Supply’s Oil, Gas, Oil, Gas, Ken Miller Supply’s Museum and Truck has This privately built museum large interior and exterior exhibits extensive oil and documenting Ohio’s The state’s production history. natural gas exploration and well was put into production first commercial oil and gas From 1860 County. Washington in 1860 at Macksburg in wells were drilled in Ohio, through 1998, over 267,000 Admission is free. behind Texas. ranking it fourth nationally arrangements can be made upon request. Call Ken Tour or write to 7945 Shreve Road, Miller at (330) 567-2489 Shreve, OH 44676. Ohio West Virginia West Oil and Gas Museum According to David L. McKain, Director of the West Volunteer Virginia Oil and Gas Museum, once acquired George Washington 250 acres in what is now West Virginia — because it contained an oil and gas spring. This was in 1771, making the father of our country the first petroleum industry speculator. The oil and gas museum is housed in a historic hardware building downtown, first built in 1874. It was burned and then rebuilt in 1900. An outside exhibit area a shows a Parkersburg pumpjack (in operation) and Box Spencer Machine pumpjack. The address is P.O. 1685, 119 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Call (304) 485-5446 or (304) 428-8015 closed Sunday. www.little- for more information. Website: mountain.com/oilandgasmuseum Van Area Oil and Historical Museum Area Oil and Historical Van is located in an old warehouse Area Oil Museum The Van the Pure Oil Co. to house oil originally built in 1930 by oil development of the Van field materials used in the field have disappeared the Van field. All the oil derricks in a derrick and relocated it on – but the museum obtained of the bygone days. Displays the grounds as a reminder memorabilia as well include various types of oil-related through Open Tuesday city. as history of the area and to 4 p.m. Closed 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, The museum Day. New Year’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 16 and County Road 1501. For Hwy. is located at Texas 963-5435. more information call (903) For more information call (936) 262-8162. Website: www.bigthicketdirectory.com/museums/oilpatch.html Oil Patch Museum Central Texas on The Luling Oilfield was discovered by Edgar B. Davis August 9, 1922, northwest of the small town. The field’s annual production peaked at more than a million barrels in 1924 and leveled off at an average of 2.5 million bar- rels annually in the 1930s. In 1989, residents of Luling formed the Luling Area Oil Museum Association, and established the museum, located at 421 E. Davis St., Luling, TX 78648. Local businesses and citizens have donated historic items, time, and financial assistance to help maintain the building and displays. The Chamber of Commerce helps in keeping the museum open and offers assistance to sightseers. Hours are Monday through 9 a.m. to noon; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call (830) 875- Friday, 3214 for more information. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Panhandle-Plains largest history located in Canyon, is the The museum, It was founded in 1921 by college museum in Texas. whose dream of preserving the professor Hattie Anderson, 100,000 About considerably. history has grown region’s Historical Museum each guests visit the Panhandle-Plains A&M Texas On the campus of what is now West year. artifacts, ranging the museum has a million University, Parker's eagle feather from the Comanche Chief Quanah historic New Mexico and Texas headdress to collections of Petroleum Wing tells the story of art. The Don D. Harrington Panhandle during the 1920s the oil boom years in the Texas floors of made it happen. Two and 1930s, and the men who the oil and gas business as exhibits help visitors understand of discovery and development. it was during the early days A&M campus at Texas the West The museum is located on Canyon, TX 79016. The hours are Monday 2503 4th Ave., 1 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, through Saturday, 6 p.m., June through August; and Monday through 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 9 Saturday, Call (806) 651-2244 for more September through May. www.panhandleplains.org information. Website: Oil Patch Museum Located in Batson, the Oil Patch Museum is a tribute to drillers, tool pushers, roughnecks, and companies. 105 and Farm Road 770 in Batson is on State Hwy. With the discovery of an southwestern Hardin County. oil field a half mile north in October 1903, the town and post office were moved to a site just south of the oil field, and a city of 10,000 sprang up overnight. Museum exhibits include pictures, models, and equipment from Events include the the early days of the oil industry. annual Oil Patch Festival on the third weekend in June. of the museum are by appointment. Tours p.m. to 5 p.m. uesday through Saturday, 30, when a Bateman Oil Company well 30, when a Bateman Oil Company East Texas Oil Museum East Texas at Kilgore College is a Oil Museum The East Texas oil and natural gas producer. tribute to the independent on US 259 was a 1930 A few miles south of Longview form of a gusher that changed “Christmas present” in the on It was a Sunday morning forever. life in East Texas December 28, 19 miles This well was nine day. blew in at 22,000 barrels a well drilled by Columbus from the October 1930 discovery that the Only later did people realize Marion “Dad” Joiner. same giant oil formation. The two wells had reached the Field has produced over 5 billion barrels of Oil East Texas petroleum reserve needed The oil gave the Allies the oil. through Saturday, to II. Hours are Tuesday War win World p.m. The museum 2 p.m. to 5 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, campus at Highway 259 is located on the Kilgore College for at Ross St., Kilgore, TX 75662. Call (903) 983-8295 www.easttexasoilmuseum.com more information. Website: Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum The museum, operated by Lamar University in Beaumont, is a 15-building complex, which recreates Gladys City, boomtown on the Spindletop an early 1900s-era Texas to oil field. The museum is an educational facility open Visitors can relive the boom days the public year-round. on a tour through the buildings representing actual businesses in operation during the boom. The original Gladys City played a major role in the rich and colorful history of Spindletop. The museum is open for self-guided 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and through Saturday, tours Tuesday (closed major holidays). Group 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, tours may be arranged in advance by calling (409) 835- 0823. The museum is located on Highway 69 at University is: Drive, Beaumont, TX. The museum mailing address Box 10070, Beaumont, TX 77710. Website: P.O. www.spindletop.org Energy Museum Texas downtown Museum District, the Located in Beaumont’s Energy Museum allows visitors to explore the Texas fascinating world of petroleum formation and geology, historical and contemporary technologies of oil well drilling, and chemistry of petroleum refining. Talking robotic characters tell colorful stories of Spindletop and oil. Visitors take a trip on an oil tanker and early Texas experience the making of gasoline from a molecule’s viewpoint. The address is 600 Main Street, Beaumont, TX 77701.The museum hours are T 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 For more information, call (409) 833-5100. Website: www.texasenergymuseum.org taped Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, at Pier Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Drilling Rig and Museum Drilling Rig and Ocean Star Ocean Star The 19 in Galveston. Visitors step on board the completely 19 in Galveston. Visitors step rig and learn about how the oil refurbished jackup drilling produces and delivers the and gas industry discovers, oceans in a the world’s energy resources from beneath In addition to way. safe and environmentally responsible visitors can examine the drill floor, pipe deck and the rig’s interactive displays and three floors of equipment exhibits, Pioneers Hall of Fame is Offshore videos. The OEC’s chronicles the unique located in the museum, which accomplishments of the heritage and technological museum offers educational The Pioneers of the Industry. teachers and the programs developed for students, general public, through workshops and tours. In addition, of the museum offers a one-day course — “The Basics a well is drilled Drilling” — that introduces how Oil Well and evaluated, from the rig and drilling equipment to of setting casing and evaluating the formation thousands The museum is located at the feet below the sea floor. intersection of Harborside Drive and 20th Street (entrance is on the east end of Pier 20). Call (409) 766-STAR to 4 (7827) for more information. Open daily from 10 a.m. p.m. (until 5 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day). Website: www.oceanstaroec.com The Petroleum Museum Located on 40 acres just south of Midland, the museum, founded in 1975, teaches the cultural and technical Interactive exhibits cover stories of the oil and gas industry. all aspects of the petroleum industry from the formation pipelining, marketing, and of oil, its exploration, geology, refining to the economic and political impact of the houses 40,000-square-foot facility The museum’s industry. oil photographic wall murals depicting early life in the boomtown, a marine diorama Texas fields, a West allowing visitors to travel back 230 million years, and interviews with industry pioneers. The Archives Center ranks second in size to the National Archives in DC. Hours are Monday through Saturday, Washington, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, TX 79701. Midland, is located at 1500 Interstate 20 West, Call (432) 683-4403 for more information. Website: www.petroleummuseum.org Less than an hour from downtown Houston, the Offshore hour from downtown Houston, Less than an its one of a kind museum, Energy Center (OEC) operates the

American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 24 American Oil and Gas Families: east texas independents 25 , Jack Elder & Caleb Pirtle III, Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, Galveston, Texas Beaumont, Texas Houston, Texas DC Washington, Association, Austin, Texas Nortex Press, 1986 A Special Thanks to: A Special Thanks Corporation Anadarko Petroleum Texas Inc., Longview, Oil Company, Four-S Association, Nacogdoches, Texas Historical East Texas Museum, Kilgore, Texas Oil East Texas Texas Fair Association, Tyler, State East Texas Texas Fredonia Hotel, Nacogdoches, Texas Gaston Museum, Rusk County, Kilgore, Texas Inc., Geo-Vest Energy Hall, Science, Weiss Houston Museum of Natural of America, Independent Petroleum Association Kilgore, Texas Jack and Winter Elder, Café, Kilgore, Texas Circle T.J.’s Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas Kilgore College Rangerettes, Kilgore, Texas Inc., Dallas, Texas Lone Star Technologies, Inc., Kilgore, Texas Company, Merritt Tool Lufkin, Texas Museum of East Texas, Houston, Texas Offshore Energy Center, San Antonio, Texas Pioneer Drilling Company, Pioneer Drilling Company Rig No. 10, Henderson, Texas Austin, Texas Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Tyler, Smith County Historical Society, Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum, Alliance of Energy Producers, Wichita Falls, Texas Texas Energy Museum, Beaumont, Texas Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Texas Texas U.S. Department of Energy References: Ocean Star The Glory Days Railroad Commission of Texas (www.rrc.state.tx.us) Railroad Commission of Texas cooperation with the Educational cooperation with Foundation of the Independent Petroleum Association of Foundation of the Independent DC. Washington, America (IPAA), its 75th anniversary in June 2004. will be celebrating IPAA established in 1996, is a The Educational Foundation, supports charitable and non-profit organization that to energy education. One educational programs related funded by the foundation is the unique educational initiative Excellence in Education Award, George and Barbara Bush six Houston-area charities which has been awarded to in 1997. inception since the program’s Society is dedicated The American Oil & Gas Historical the U.S. oil and natural to preserving the history of The Society gas exploration and production industry. provides advocacy and service for organizations that work to preserve industry history through exhibition, educational programming, and material preservation. assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Technical Energy (DOE) was invaluable for enhancing the content of this publication. DOE's Office of Fossil Energy supports research and policy options to ensure clean, gas reliable, and affordable supplies of oil and natural for American consumers. This publication has been developed by the American Oil & has been developed by This publication in Society, Gas Historical Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Oil and natural gas are produced in more than 30 states American Oil & Gas Historical Society (darkened). The United States is the world’s second-largest 1201 15th Street, NW producer of natural gas and the third-largest producer of oil. Suite 300 Nearly every region has some oil and natural gas potential. Washington, DC 20005 This document focuses on East Texas. www.aoghs.org

For more information, contact:

Bruce A. Wells Executive Director (202) 857-4785 [email protected]

June 2004