The Age of Oil

Into the New Century The beginning of the modern era is marked by two momentous events that occurred in southeast Texas in 1900 and 1901. One of these events involved water, and the other involved oil.

Disaster Strikes Galveston In many ways, Galveston was the most modern city in Texas. It had the first electric lights and telephones in the state. On September 8, 1900, Galveston was struck by a hurricane of unbelievable force. The storm battered the city for 12 hours, with winds reaching 120 miles an hour. High cresting tidal waves completely covered the island. When the storm was over, dazed Galvestonians discovered 6,000 of their neighbors had perished in the water and rubble. Half the city was in ruins. Thousands of people were left homeless. It was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

Disaster Strikes Galveston The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the seawall to provide protection against future hurricanes. After it was completed, all of Galveston behind the seawall had to be raised. The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 altered the economic development of Texas because major industries in Galveston moved inland to Houston.

Oil Becomes an Industry Railroads began using oil for fuel in the 1880’s and demand increased. Most people thought that you could only find oil in the Northeast. There was only one oil company in the U.S. at the time, Standard Oil. Standard Oil Founder John D. Rockefeller

Spindletop- 1901 Pattillo Higgins and Anthony Lucas believed there was oil near Beaumont on Spindletop Hill. Geologists believed that Texas had little oil. They began drilling in 1899. After many false starts and failures…. Pattillo Higgins Anthony Lucas

Spindletop-1901 East Texas Site of first significant oil well in Texas In 1901 they hit the largest oil reserve the world had ever seen. The “Gusher” of oil shot 100 feet into the air for nine straight days until it was capped. Oil surrounded the derrick formed a small lake of oil. Which caught fire but the workers put it out safely

Oil Boom The well named Lucas No. 1 produced more than any well in the world at the time. People began buying and selling land in East Texas in hopes of finding oil on the land. Soon after, Spindletop and the surrounding area was covered in Oil Derricks.

Land prices soared wherever oil was discovered. Beaumont's population increased from 10,000 to 50,000 in a few months.

Over drilling at Spindletop resulted in the drying up of the well. Just two years after its start the area was only producing 10,000 barrels a day. (compared to the 100,000 when it started) Spindletop inspired a state wide search for oil and the creation of 600 oil companies, including Gulf and Texaco.

Texas Railroad Commission The initial growth of the oil industry impacted Texas state government by the formation of the Texas Railroad Commission, which was established to regulate oil prices. Established by James Hogg.

Characteristics of Texas during the Age of Oil Growth of urban areas Temperance movement Texas Railroad Commission

The Rise of Boomtowns The oil boom led to a population growth and economic boom in Texas. Towns began to spring up in areas where oil had been found. Crime, disease, and a lack of safe drinking water were just some of the problems in these new towns.

Life in the Oil Patch Life was hard for drillers. Workers had long hours, Rigs operated 24 hours a day and men had 12 hour shifts. Falling from a derrick meant death and the gases from the wells could burn a workers eyes, cause illness, or even death. But the job was in high demand because it paid well. People traveled long distances to work in the Texas Oil Fields.

The growth of the oil industry led to…. Increased employment opportunities. Over 500 new companies, like Texaco, being formed. An improved standard of living for many Texans.

Howard Hughes Sr. He developed a new type of drill bit called the rotary bit. The bit made it possible to drill through very hard rock to reach oil deep underground. The drill bit revolutionized the oil industry, which is one of the largest industries in Texas. petroleum

Innovations Rotary Drill Bits: penetrates medium and hard rock with ten times the speed of any former bit. It allowed deeper drilling on the land and ocean. Directional Drilling: the practice of drilling non-vertical wells. Allows drilling to occur in different landforms. Deep Sea Drill: Drilling that can occur in the depths of the ocean. New oil reserves have been found and the industry has flourished.

Progressive Movement As more Texans moved to cities, they found new problems and became more aware of existing ones. The attempts of reformers to solve those problems became known as the Progressive Movement. Progressivism took several forms in Texas in areas of labor, child labor, education, prisons, banking, and public safety. They worked to pass laws that improve conditions in factories.

Prohibition The one issue that aroused the most interest in Texas during the Progressive Era was the battle about alcoholic beverages. Saloons were associated with gambling, the sale of stolen goods, and the planning of crimes. It was claimed that men who spent their money in saloons forced their families to rely on charity. The 18th Amendment (1920-1933) made prohibition the law through the nation. Many people resented the law and even broke it. The 18th amendment was repealed in 1933.

Women’s Suffrage The 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote in the United States. The Texas Equal Suffrage Association supported and campaigned for the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Populism This was a nationwide movement of rural citizens who had not benefited from the modern lifestyle made by the growth in industry. Most Texan Populists were struggling farmers. African-American farmers, many of whom also faced problems, sometimes joined the Populist party.

Agrarian Groups Grange: The Grange was organized in Texas in 1873. Grange offered cooperation in business, happier home lives, more social contacts, and better educational opportunities. Other agrarian groups include Texas Farmers Union and Farmers’ Alliance.

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) The LULAC was formed in Corpus Christi in 1929 to support the rights for Spanish speaking people.

WWI (1917) Political Impacts Four major military camps were set up in Texas: Camp Bowie in Ft. Worth, Camp Travis in San Antonio, Camp Logan in Houston, and Camp MacArthur in Waco. Approximately 200,000 Texans fought.

WWI (1917) Economic Impact WWI (1917) Social Impact Women entered the workforce. Some foods had to be rationed. WWI (1917) Social Impact 500 women from Texas served as nurses. 5000 Texans gave their lives.

Urbanization Rapid industrial expansion led to increased population due to job opportunities. Service jobs increased because more of the population was living in urban areas. Boom & Bust cycle: a period of great profits followed by a downward trend in an industry.