Historical Marker

Texas Company Refinery at Port Arthur (Port Arthur Works)

Historical marker location:
Port Arthur, Texas
( Savannah Ave. at 25th St., Port Arthur)
Marker installed: 2000
Marker size: 27" x 42"

The Beaumont-Port Arthur area was booming at the turn of the 20th century after the January 10, 1901, discovery of oil at Spindletop. The Texas Fuel Company was formed on March 28, 1901, by J. S. Cullinan, a Pennsylvania oilman and veteran of the Corsicana fields; Arnold Schlaet, manager of the oil business of the New York-based Lapham Brothers; and former Texas governor James S. Hogg and his partner, J. W. Swayne. The company purchased a small tract of land on this site in February 1902, and was reorganized as the Texas Company in April. The Port Arthur Works began operations with two tar stills in April 1903. The refinery's first crude still started on Nov.13, 1903, producing 1,000 barrels per day, primarily of fuel oil. Kerosene and gasoline were manufactured beginning in 1904. Such innovations as the thermal cracking process, which increased the quantity of gasoline produced from a barrel of crude oil, were perfected here. By the end of 1940, the Port Arthur Works had grown to about 5,000 acres and 3,897 employees. It processed 35,214,000 barrels of crude in 1941. The Texas Company participated in the World War II effort by exchanging technologies with other oil and gas companies to perfect the new fluid catalytic cracking process to produce high-octane gasoline and feedstock for the new synthetic rubber process. World War II also increased the requirements of all lubricating oils. The Texas Company became Texaco in 1959, and the Port Arthur plant grew throughout the second half of the 20th century as Texaco became one of the world's largest oil companies. It is the only surviving company of the many created during the Spindletop oil boom. (2000)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

manufacturing oil/petroleum topics
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jefferson County, Texas.

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.