Silver Tip Well Coalinga California

Silver Tip Well Coalinga California

Cranes, derricks, etc. -- California -- Fresno County -- Photographs.; Mobile cranes -- California -- Fresno County -- Photographs.; Oil industries -- California -- Fresno County -- 20th century -- Photographs.; Coalinga (Calif.) -- Economic conditions -- 20th century -- Photographs.; Coalinga (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources.

The Silver Tip oil well just outside of Coalinga, California. The well blew in with the greatest gusher known in California at that time. The oil flow was estimated at 10,000 - 20,000 barrels a day. The roar of the well could be clearly heard in the city of Coalinga a mile and half away. Workmen rushed to build sumps in nearby gullies to hold the oil while motorists drove out to see the display. Coalinga originally started in the late 1800s when coal was discovered in the foothills. The market for coal eventually dropped when oil was discovered and Coalinga became an oil boom town not unlike those established in the gold country. Coalinga was incorporated on 3 April 1906. By 1910 the Coalinga Chamber of Commerce proclaimed Coalinga the greatest oilfield in the United States with some 590 wells producing $10.2 million worth of oil annually.

1 photographic print (postcard) :b&w ;9 x 14 cm.

San Joaquin Valley Library System

1909

Fresno County Public Library

This image is being made available for educational and research purposes only, under the "fair use" clause of the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) Further questions regarding the image or its use may be directed to the Fresno County Public Library, Heritage Center, 2420 Mariposa St, Fresno, CA 93721. Phone: 559-600-6230 HeritageCenter@fresnolibrary.org

SJV Photo Heritage

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en

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frp0093

1909