Cañon City in Fremont County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Oldest Oil Field In The West
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023
1. Oldest Oil Field In The West Marker
Property of the State of Colorado
In Florence and surrounding area was developed the first recognized oil field west of the Mississippi River, as a result of the discovery of oil by A.M. Cassidy in Fremont County in 1862. More than 1,300 wells, averaging 2,300 barrels per acre, have been drilled in this 14-square-miles area, including many within the city limits. One mile north is well No. 42, drilled in 1889, the oldest continuous commercial producing oil well in the world, it has produced more than 1,000,000 barrels.
Erected 1962 by the State Historical Society of Colorado and the Florence Pioneer Day Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 38° 23.633′ N, 105° 7.384′ W. Marker is in Cañon City, Colorado, in Fremont County. Marker is on West 3rd Street (Colorado Route 115) west of Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located near Florence City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 W 3rd St, Florence CO 81226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Lovell Block
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. First and oldest oilfield discovery west of the Mississippi River
The first and oldest oilfield discovery west of the Mississippi River, Florence Oil Field was discovered in 1863 at an oil seep along Four Mile Creek. Alexander Cassiday and John McCandless drilled 6 shallow wells near the seep finding oil at 50-80 feet. Several of these wells produced 3-10 barrels oil per day. But this field was really only a leak in the natural plumbing of a larger oil accumulation eventually found in 1881 when Cassiday and a new partner, Isaac Canfield found oil 3 miles south of Florence, Colorado.
— Submitted September 5, 2023.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023
2. Oldest Oil Field In The West Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 5, 2023
3. Oldest Oil Field In The West Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
