Have you ever wondered about the story behind the discovery of oil in Texas? Well, here in front of you is a historical marker commemorating the Barbers Hill Oil Field. In 1889, while digging a water well, Elmer Barber encountered inflammable gas. After the Spindletop oil discovery in 1901, prospectors sought leases here. Early operations yielded little success. But the discovery of commercial oil in 1918 changed everything. In 1926, the Mills Bennett Production Co. and the Humphreys Corp. struck a major find, triggering the first boom in the region.
This plaque tells the story of the Barbers Hill Oil Field, a key piece in the Texas oil story. In the 1920s and 30s, oil derricks and tent dwellings were commonplace. The community flourished, and oil money funded upgrades and improvements, especially in the schools. As the area transitioned to oil storage in the 1970s, the landscape shifted, leaving a legacy behind. The plaque stands as a testament to the impact of the oil industry on Texas, a story that continues to shape the state’s economy.