Prophet of Spindletop

Some considered self-taught geologist Pattillo Higgins “something of a fool” — until January 1o, 1901.

 

Self-taught geologist Patillo Higgins became known as the “Prophet of Spindletop” a decade after founding his Gladys City Oil, Gas & Manufacturing Company in 1892. He was instrumental in discovering the world-famous Spindletop oilfield at Beaumont, Texas.  (more…)

Spindletop launches Modern Petroleum Industry

Giant Texas oilfield discovery in 1901 coincided with gasoline demand for automobiles.

 

On January 10, 1901, the “Lucas Gusher” on a small hill in Texas revealed the Spindletop oilfield, which would produce more oil in a single day than the rest of the world’s oilfields combined.

Although the 1899 Galveston hurricane (still the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history) brought great misery to southeastern Texas as the 20th century dawned, a giant oilfield discovery three miles south of Beaumont launched the modern oil and natural gas industry. (more…)

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