Oil at Spindletop
The discovery of oil at Spindletop led to a boom in the Texas economy and created many jobs. Hundreds of oil companies formed to drill new wells, and the population of Beaumont rose to nearly 40,000 people.
Called boomtowns, these towns were crowded, dirty, and rough places to live. Boomtowns were busy places where everyone was trying to make money. The streets became rivers of mud when it rained.
In 1899, the legislature passed laws concerning abandoned wells and the protection of groundwater from oil pollution. Years later, the legislature made it illegal to waste oil and natural gas. The state government began collecting taxes on oil production in 1905. By 1919, the taxes on oil production rose to more than $1 million dollars. This money helped fund the state government and education programs for the children of Texas.
How did the oil industry affect the state of Texas politically?
A
New companies were formed and people came to the towns looking for jobs.
B
Many people lost their lives from fist fights while living in boomtowns.
C
The population of Beaumont rose to nearly 40,000 people.
D
Laws were passed concerning the abandoned wells and oil pollution.
D
Laws were passed concerning the abandoned wells and oil pollution.