Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Faurot Oil Well
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
1. Faurot Oil Well Marker
In 1885, 800 feet north of this marker, Benjamin Faurot struck oil after drilling into the Trenton Rock Limestone formation at a depth of 1,251 feet. This event marked the beginning of the great Oil Boom of northwest Ohio. The ensuing rush brought speculators who drilled hundreds of wells in the Trenton Rock (Lima) Oil Field that stretched from Mercer County north through Wood County in Ohio and west to Indiana. By 1886, the Lima field was the nation’s leading producer of oil, and by the following year it was considered to be the largest in the world. Production from the Ohio portion of the Lima-Indiana field reached its peak in 1896, when more than 20 million barrels were brought out of the ground. Though short-lived, the oil rush brought an influx of people, pipelines, refineries, and businesses, giving a powerful impetus to the growth of northwest Ohio.
Erected 2006 by Allen County Historical Society, City of Lima, Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Daniel's Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); NKP Caboose No. 1091 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nickel Plate Road Berkshire-Type Locomotive No. 779 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lima Locomotive Works (approx. 0.4 miles away); Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad Station from Uniopolis, Ohio (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site Of Lima's First Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Historic House (approx. half a mile away); Adam Welty Park (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
2. Faurot Oil Well Marker
Looking east along North Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,445 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
