Midwest in Natrona County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Salt Creek Oil Field
In 1883, the first claims were filed in the 22,000 acre Salt Creek Field. The first strike in the field occurred in 1908 at a depth of 1,050 feet. Many wells are still active. Salt Creek was one of the first unitized oil fields in the United States. Under unitization one company operates properties for all owners and more efficient recovery methods can be used. Improved practices in Salt Creek have recovered many additional millions of barrels of oil.
Erected by Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 43° 24.575′ N, 106° 16.187′ W. Marker is in Midwest, Wyoming, in Natrona County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 387 at milepost 28 and State Highway 259, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 387. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midwest WY 82643, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gushers, (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oil Boom Towns (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Salt Creek Oil Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Society in an Oil Patch (approx. half a mile away); Midwest Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Geology (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Salt Creek Oil Field (approx. 6.7 miles away); Scandal! (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midwest.
More about this marker. This marker is located at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Also see . . . First Wyoming Oil Wells - American Oil & Gas Historical Society. Tales of the “Great Tar Spring” would lead to Wyoming’s earliest hand-dug oil wells during the Civil War. “The first recorded oil sale in Wyoming occurred along the Oregon Trail when, in 1863, enterprising entrepreneurs sold oil as a lubricant to wagon-train travelers” explains Wyohistory.org. “The oil came from Oil Mountain Springs some 20 miles west of present-day Casper.” (Submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.