Which oil field began the East Texas Oil Boom after its discovery in 1930?

The East Texas Oil Field began the East Texas Oil Boom after its discovery in 1930.

The field extends across parts of several counties in eastern Texas and became one of the largest petroleum discoveries in the United States. Its discovery came during the Great Depression, when the sudden flow of oil created jobs, attracted investment, and transformed nearby communities.

The discovery well was drilled by Columbus Marion “Dad” Joiner near Henderson. Production expanded rapidly, and the resulting oversupply contributed to extremely low oil prices until Texas regulators introduced production controls.

East Texas is not the same field as Spindletop, the 1901 discovery near Beaumont that launched the earlier Texas oil boom. It is also distinct from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, the largest oil field in North America by recoverable reserves.