Duchouquet Township in Cridersville in Auglaize County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Oil Boom Years

Photographed By Craig Doda, December 2, 2023

1. Oil Boom Years Marker

Inscription. While drilling for natural gas in 1885, oil was discovered in Lima. Within two years, the Lima region became the largest known oil field in the world. Several farms near Cridersville were leased by oil companies in early 1886. By the end of the year, the village was busy with oil men. It was at the center of what became known as the Lima Oil Field. One well near Cridersville was producing 20,000 barrels per year.

Regional newspapers began to write stories about wells being drilled around the village- "The oil fields at Cridersville mean a bright future for the town". By 1895 there were more than 125 pumping wells. New businesses were built on Main Street. Three hotels were operating in the village. By 1906, new oil fields were discovered in Texas and Oklahoma and the Ohio Oil Boom came to an end.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 40° 39.237′ N, 84° 8.347′ W. Marker is in Cridersville, Ohio, in Auglaize County. It is in Duchouquet Township. Marker is on East Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 326 E Main Street, Lima OH 45806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Place For Basketball & More (here, next to this marker); Fredrick Delong

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(here, next to this marker); Investing In Education (a few steps from this marker); The Shawnee In Western Ohio (a few steps from this marker); Cridersville Goes To War (a few steps from this marker); Founding The Town (a few steps from this marker); Cridersville Rams (a few steps from this marker); Cridersville High School Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cridersville.

Also see . . . Great Oil Boom of Lima, Ohio (American Oil and Gas Historical Society).

Excerpt: A “Great Oil Boom” of northwestern Ohio began when Benjamin C. Faurot, drilling for natural gas, found oil instead. His Ohio oil well of May 19, 1885, revealed the petroleum-rich Trenton Rock Limestone at a depth of 1,252 feet.

(Submitted on December 15, 2023.)

Photographed By Craig Doda, December 2, 2023

2. Oil Boom Years Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.