Oil Derrick
The discovery of oil in East Texas in 1930 brought a boom to this area that can be compared to the Gold Rush of 1849 in California. For years, major oil companies believed that there was no oil in East Texas; how ever, Columbus "Dad" Joiner proved them wrong. On October 3, 1930, Joiner's third well, Daisy Bradford No. 3, hit the Woodbine Sand at a depth of 3,592 feet, producing 300 barrels a day. Soon to follow were the Lou Della Crim No. 1 and Lanthrop No. 1 wells.
A great ocean of oil was discovered in Rusk, Gregg, Smith, and Upshur Counties. The original field was forty miles long and three to ten miles wide, containing 140,000 acres. The Depression was no more, and the economic structure of East Texas was changed forever.
The original derricks of the 1930-s were made of wood. Later, metal was used. From 1945 to 1980, derricks and rigs drilled to the Pettit and Travis Peak formations from 7,000 to 8,000 feet deep. In later years, wells were drilled to depths of 10,000 feet into the Cotton Valley Formation and 12,000 feet into the Lime Formation. The Texas Railroad Commission reported that from 1939 to 2001, 41,836 wells had been drilled in District 6, which includes Rusk County. Since that time, numerous natural gas wells have been and continue to be drilled to depths of up to 15,000 feet into the Haynesville Shale Formation.
The oil derrick, drilling equipment, and pumping jack on the museum grounds are typical of what wa.s used on an oil field location.
This display has a Rusk County Historical Commission Marker.