I was born and raised in Beaumont, and it astounds me how many people (even fellow locals!) don’t know about (or don’t fully appreciate the significance of) Spindletop. Located in present-day Beaumont in an area formerly known as Gladys City, the Spindletop Oil Field ushered in the Petroleum Age in the U.S. in January 1901 when the greatest oil well ever seen was drilled upon. Of all the discoveries made in Texas, this one certainly had the most lasting and far-reaching impact. You can still visit the site where it all went down, which is now a museum that attracts history buffs from all over the world.

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For more information about Spindletop and the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, please visit the Lamar University website.

I often wonder what the world would look like today if it weren’t for Spindletop. Do you ever ask yourself the same thing? Are there any other discoveries made in Texas that had a profound, unprecedented impact? Tell us in the comments below! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn about Willy Burger, a delicious burger joint to try while you’re in Beaumont.

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