Museum celebrates Lucas Gusher with one of its own
Published 6:58 pm Monday, January 15, 2018
- The reenactment of the Lucas Gusher shot water high into the air Saturday morning during the 117th anniversary of the oil discovery in Beaumont. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
On a blisteringly cold Saturday, winds were high and temperatures were low — yet that did not stop people from visiting a place where history happily repeated itself for the day.
The Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum at Lamar University held an all-day celebration in honor of the 117th anniversary of the Lucas Gusher. It was an occasion marked by reenactments, craft demonstrations, music and more.
Rob Flurry works the forge inside the smithery Saturday at the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum for the 117th anniversary of the Lucas Gusher. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
Individuals dressed in 1901-period garb were on hand to help bring the history of Gladys City to life to the dozens of spectators standing around watching. In addition, there were two reenactments during the day of the Lucas Gusher where a towering geyser of water shot up into the air recreating the 1901 oil boom.
“The Lucas Gusher put Beaumont and Southeast Texas on the map,” museum director Troy Gray said. “There was more oil there than anyone believed there was. It was something for Beaumont people to be excited about.”
When Beaumont businessman Pattillo Higgins struck it rich, he struck it big. The oil geyser shot up over 150 feet into the air and lasted for nine days. The output was estimated at 100,000 barrels per day.
“He was the one who said there was oil here and he was going to find it,” Gray said.
The resulting oil find led Beaumont from being a town of 9,000 people to 50,000 people practically overnight according to Gray.
Among learning about history, visitors could also enjoy watching blacksmithing, printmaking, shootouts and taking part in a tea party at a “drunk-friendly” saloon.
In addition, there were photo opportunities with reenactors, food for sale by the Beaumont Lion’s Club and live music by the Back Porch Friends.
Walking the grounds of the Boomtown Museum, Debbie and Doug Canant were taking in the sights and pointing to and reading off facts about exhibits to their grandson Geoffrey.
“We mainly just wanted to teach him what it was like back then,” Debbie said.
The three of them were present for the water reenactment of the gusher on the outskirts of the museum.
“My favorite part was when water shot out of the thing and got really high,” Geoffrey said.
It was Geoffrey’s first time at Spindletop, but Doug’s third or fourth.
“I’m just here with her,” he said with a laugh.
The anniversary event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admittance was free to visitors who wore 1901-era apparel.
