Oil and Gas History in Texas
Oil redefined Texas in the 20th century. During the 19th century, Texans had won their independence from Mexico, joined fellow Southerners in losing the Civil War, and made a great economic recovery with cattle and cotton. All of that provided more than enough history to give Texas a distinct image in the eyes of many observers.
Then Spindletop exploded in 1901, flooding the surrounding landscape with barrels of black gold. Other drillers found glory and profit in the Lone Star State, and by 1927 Texas led the United States in oil production. Texans also profited greatly from natural gas, refining, pipelines, petrochemicals, and other oil-related enterprises, all of which redefined not just the Texas economy, but also its politics and society. This can clearly be seen in articles that have appeared in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly (SHQ), the oldest continuously published academic journal in the United States. This volume includes seventeen selections on oil and gas history from the Quarterly, providing a broad perspective on its evolution and impact.
The Texas State Historical Association is your go-to resource for all things Texas history!
Shelli Christensen (verified owner) –
Book came quickly and perfectly packaged. Excited to read it!
Carolyn Irvine (verified owner) –
My husband is enjoying your book. I am so grateful.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Shopping cart did not cater for my country. Sorted through TSHA Admin, who were most helpful, and facilitated the purchase. However, this could be simpler by catering to an international audience. There’s lots of us elsewhere in the world who are engaged with Texas history!
JOHN MULLEE (verified owner) –
A highly readable, fascinating revelation of how a few people down on their last leg persisted doggedly until the black gold gushed out of the ground. Equally fascinating is how politicians and institutions scrambled for control of the benefits that flowed from the unexpected bonanza. Full of interesting factoids, such as where the name Spindletop came from. This book explains how Texas oil got its uniquely Texan flavor.