Spindletop and Oil

Texas Age of Oil

1890-1920

Objectives:

We will identify the major eras in Texas history, describe their defining characteristics, and explain the purpose of dividing the past into eras including "Age of Oil Era".

I will complete my Quizziz lesson on Age of Oil.

E.Q. - Why was oil so important?

Texas Gold

In the late 1800's oil had been found in places like Pennsylvania and Ohio. Texans knew that oil existed beneath the land and some began looking for it.

Kerosene

Kerosene was a new form of fuel that was made from petroleum. Kerosene was used for fuel to light lamps. (Most homes did not have electricity yet).The demand for oil had increased sharply.

Corsicana

In 1894, drillers looking for water in Corsicana, TX accidentally struck oil. Corsicana was soon filled with derricks. Derricks are towers that hold oil drilling equipment. In 1896 Corsicana produced 1,450 barrels of oil.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of an oil derrick?

• it makes the oil field look nice

• it supports oil drilling equipment

Wildcatter

Corsicana was soon filled with wildcatters. A wildcatter is someone who drills for oil.

Open Ended

What is a wildcatter?

Spindletop Strike

The success of Corsicana was quickly overshadowed by a much bigger oil discovery near Beaumont. On January 10, 1901 a giant plume of oil count be seen at Spindletop. It could be seen from more than 10 miles away.

Spindletop the beginning of the Oil Industry

Spindletop led to a boom in the Texas economy. Hundreds of oil companies began to drill new wells.

Open Ended

What is the significance of Spindletop?

Boom and Bust after Spindletop

Spindletop lead to a boom in the Texas economy. It created many jobs. The population of Beaumont doubled.

Urbanization

The population of Beaumont grew very fast. During this period in time people were leaving rural areas for urban areas. This is known as urbanization.

Multiple Choice

Which image shows an urban area?

Bust

Hundreds of oil companies formed and drilled new wells. By 1902 there were 500 oil companies. In 1902 Spindletop produced more than 17 million barrels of oil. There was just too much oil.

Supply and Demand affect price

By the end of 1902 oil prices hit an all time low of $.03 a barrel.

Open Ended

How did the overproduction of oil affect the price?

Boom and Bust Cycle

The price change of oil is part of a boom and bust cycle. The boom and bust at Spindletop was the first cycle the Texas oil industry experienced.

Multiple Choice

In April of 2020 the Corona virus hit the U.S. Most people would be stuck at home. Therefore the need for gasoline would decrease. This would cause a .....

• boom for the oil industry

• bust for the oil industry

I hope you enjoyed learning about how oil industry changed Texas.