Near Clare in Clare County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michigan's Petroleum Industry

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 6, 2019

1. Michigan's Petroleum Industry Marker

Inscription. In 1860 State Geologist Alexander Winchell reported that oil and gas deposits lay under Michigan's surface. First commercial production was at Port Huron where 22 wells were drilled, beginning in 1886. Total output was small. Michigan's first oil boom was at Saginaw, where production began in 1925. About 300 wells were drilled here by 1927, when Muskegon's "Discovery Well" drew oil men the country over to that field. The Mt. Pleasant field, opened in 1928, helped to make Michigan one of the leading oil producers of eastern United States. Mt. Pleasant became known as the "Oil Capital of Michigan." Efforts of the industry itself resulted in excellent state laws regulating petroleum output. Well depths range from 1,000 to 6,000 feet. New wells are constantly opened as exploration continues.

Erected 1961 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 130.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 43° 51.011′ N, 84° 46.575′ W.

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Marker is near Clare, Michigan, in Clare County. It is on U.S. 10/127 0.7 miles north of South Clare Avenue (Business U.S. 127), in the median. Marker is in the Clare Welcome Center (rest stop). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clare MI 48617, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jay's Sporting Goods (approx. ¾ mile away); Clare Congregational Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Farwell Area Historical Museum (approx. 4.7 miles away); Logging Railroads (approx. 5½ miles away); Those Who Fought and Died (approx. 11.8 miles away); Veterans Freedom Park (approx. 11.8 miles away).

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 6, 2019

2. Michigan's Petroleum Industry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 660 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.