(Drumright, Okla.) Drumright was kicking up its heels Saturday as locals and dignitaries alike came out in full force to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of oil on the Wheeler farm in Creek County, Oklahoma. Descendents of the early oil families were also there as part of the celebration.
A dedication ceremony for a new mural depicting the Wheeler #1 was held at 10 a.m. at the Drumright Historical Museum. Following a brief history of the oil find read by Jim Martin, Keystone Gas Corporation, April Sellers-White presented a quit claim deed to Drumright Mayor for the piece of land where a 1920s-era galvanized steel derrick commemorating Wheeler #1 will be erected behind the Drumright Historical Society Museum.
Saturday’s ceremonies were only the first of many events celebrating the 100th anniversary of Drumright. KUSH and 1600kush.com will keep you abreast of all the upcoming activities.
For more information on Drumright Historical Society Museum visit:drumrighthistoricalsociety.org or on Facebook
*March 17, 1912, oil was discovered on the Wheeler farm in Creek County, Oklahoma. That discovery started the greatest oilfield in the world at that time. Eighty thousand people swarmed into the area, erecting wood and canvas shacks in oil camps throughout the hills over the great oil deposit that became the Drumright Field. The towns of Drumright, Shamrock and Oilton are said to have materialized “overnight.”
By 1917, the Drumright Field produced more oil than any other in the world. A colorful collection of workers, promoters, hustlers and grifters rushed to the field that included the world’s first million barrel well.
Wheeler #1 is believed to be the longest producing oil well ever and Drumright is one of Oklahoma’s only surviving – and thriving – boomtowns.
*Courtesy of Drumright Historical Society Museum
