The Phillips and Woodford Wells on Tarr Farm, north of Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1873.

Boomtown Legacy

Ryan Hilton, Engineer

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    Early Oil Exploration Begins in Chickasaw & Choctaw Nations

    Early Oil Exploration Begins in Chickasaw & Choctaw Nations

    May 4, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in This Day in Oil History

    In 1872, oil seeps draw prospectors to Chickasaw Nation. St. Louis Oil Co. leases land from the tribes to begin drilling in the Indian Territory.

    Read more

  • Blog
    Off for the week!

    Off for the week!

    Apr 21, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in Blog

    I’m taking a few days off. I’ll be back soon with more This Day in Oil History stories!

    Read more

  • This Day in Oil History
    Fire Destroys Triumph City, Pennsylvania – April 18, 1868

    Fire Destroys Triumph City, Pennsylvania – April 18, 1868

    Apr 18, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in This Day in Oil History

    A devastating 1868 fire destroyed Triumph City near Tidioute, Pennsylvania, leveling hotels, homes, and shops in a boomtown born of the oil rush.

    Read more

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Boomtown Legacy

Blogging about 19th-century oil fever in Pennsylvania.


Headshot of Chevron engineer Ryan Hilton.

About the author

I’m Ryan Hilton, a petroleum engineer with Chevron.

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