History of Oil and Gas Industry in Texas Highlighted in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Sept. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Postcard History Series is Texas Oil and Gas by local author Jeff A. Spencer. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images of the petroleum industry in Texas.

Texas Oil and Gas documents in postcards the rapid growth of the Texas petroleum industry from its beginnings near Corsicana in the 1890s through the next several decades of oil booms throughout the state.

The young 20th century opened with the Lucas Gusher at Spindletop in 1901. Thousands rushed from the oilfields of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to find work and riches. Continued drilling success along the Texas Gulf Coast transformed Houston into a major city and the Beaumont area into a major petrochemical center. Through the 1910s and 1920s, oil booms occurred in North Texas, the Panhandle, Central Texas and West Texas. The giant East Texas oilfield, the second largest North American oilfield to Alaska’s North Slope, was discovered in 1930. Texas oil replaced coal as fuel for the nation’s railroads and provided fuel for our military in two world wars.

Highlights of Texas Oil and Gas include:
•   Uses oil-related images to showcase the processes of the industry, such as drilling, transportation and refining.  
•   The majority of the images are from the author’s private collection, but material from several oil museums and other collectors are also included.
•   Discusses the origins of several major oil companies and the colorful characters from the early days of Texas oil drilling.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.