110 years ago this weekend (1915): oil was discovered in El Dorado in Butler County. The Stapleton No. 1 oil well came in on October 5, 1915.
El Dorado's leaders were envious when nearby towns found huge gas fields and thrived. In the 1800s, a barber in El Dorado drilled down 200 feet, but ran out of money, finding nothing. Wells in 1879 and 1882 produced only brine.
In June, 1914, chafed over discovery of oil in nearby Augusta, El Dorado city fathers contracted with Erasmus Haworth, soon to retire from his position as State Geologist, to perform a geological study of the area. His field work outlined the El Dorado Anticline, which unsuccessfully was drilled first in August, 1915.
On abandonment, the Wichita Natural Gas Company purchased the lease and drilled the Stapleton No. 1 oil well. More success followed and by 1918, the El Dorado produced 29 million barrels, almost 9% of the nation's oil. Entrepreneurs came and prospered: the Cities Service Oil Company, A.L. Derby, Jack Vickers, and Bill Skelly all became familiar names in Midcontinent oil marketing.
The El Dorado oil came in as both World War I and the rapid popularization of motor transport made for a profitable market. By late 1995, the El Dorado Field produced its 300 millionth barrel of oil.
This discovery was notable because it was the first time oil was found using systematic geological surveys rather than haphazard drilling. Geologists pinpointed the location for Stapleton No. 1, leading to a successful discovery on nearly every acre within the recommended area, which was a shock to the industry.
The Stapleton No. 1 well, which produced oil until 1967, may still be visited by tourists.