The Civil War and the Rise of the American Petroleum Industry

The precursors, events and legacy of the American Civil War have always been deeply intertwined with the nation’s oil and gas industry, from the discovery of oil at the Drake well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859 to the thousands of veterans who rushed into oil regions to seek their fortunes in the post-war petroleum boom. When Union oilfields became strategic military targets, the demand for kerosene increased, and when the Rebellion ended, Civil War veterans helped to spread the growth of oil exploration. New transportation and production technology saw rapid development, and new uses for petroleum products began to proliferate. This book thoroughly interrogates the relationship between the war and the development of U.S. petroleum, examining the involvement of Civil War officers and soldiers in all areas of the oil and gas industry. Illustrated with over 50 high-quality illustrations from the era, this detailed history demonstrates that while the American oil and petroleum industry existed before the Civil War, its incredible growth and longevity is owed in large part to the contributions of Civil War veterans.

Allen H. Mesch is an author, educator, and historian from Plano, Texas. He taught at the University of Texas at Dallas, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Woman’s University.

Allen H. Mesch
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 55 photos, glossary, notes, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9623-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5439-3
Imprint: McFarland