Early Oil Well - (Photo BI-0001)
An early Titus County oil well, thought to be the first or at least one of the first wells in the Talco oilfield. We don't know the date this photo was taken, or exactly where, but a guess would be in the 1930's. The derrick is constructed of wood.
If you have further information about this photo, please contact us.
The story of oil in Titus County is a long one. Titus County residents have been fascinated with oil drilling and exploration since the early 1900s. In this chapter, we will provide articles about oil exploration from the time it first began in the Cason area in southeastern Titus County, moved south of Mt. Pleasant, then to western Titus County in the Winfield area.
Finally, in 1936, exploration moved into northern Titus County along the Balcones fault near Talco, when almost 30 years after exploration began in Titus County the wildcatters hit pay dirt!
Nothing before or since in Titus County's history has made such a dramatic change in the living conditions of our residents and the quality of life in the county as the discovery of the Talco oil field in February, 1936. Oil production made a few people extremely rich, but provided well-paying employment for thousands of others. Oil provided the tax money that the county government needed to operate. It led directly to improvements of Titus County's roads and highways, increased our population, and diversified our economy and businesses.
Because the story of Titus County oil is a long one and requires several pages to describe, we decided to make create a separate chapter for this important story.
Please Note!
We are still researching Titus County's oil exploration and production. If you have information or photos pertaining to the oil field, the Talco refineries, the Mt. Pleasant refinery, or if you have oil-related artifacts, please contact us! We would like to review your information and either scan any photos you may have or photograph physical artifacts to share with others by including them on our website.
Click a link below or a blue number on the menu above to read about Titus County oil exploration and production.
Page 7 - Titus County Oil - Black Gold!
Page 8 - Titus County Oil - Growing Pains
