Oklahoma was once a leading producer of crude oil in the U.S., consistently ranking No. 1 between 1907 and 1923. The discovery of oil in the state helped change its history forever.

Oklahoma’s First Commercial Oil Well

The first commercial oil well, named the Nellie Johnstone No. 1, was drilled in Bartlesville in 1897. This well ushered in a new age for Oklahoma, with boomtowns erupting across the state and bringing in people from all over the world.

According to Kay Little, a historian with Little History Adventures, the well was a gusher and marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s oil dominance. The successes brought in prospectors to the state in hopes of striking it rich, but the work was dirty and dangerous.

Oklahoma Boomtowns

The boomtowns brought in people, but they also brought in crime and lawlessness to the state. Members of the Osage Nation who had ownership of oil rights were prospering during the oil boom. However, in the 1920s, the ‘Reign of Terror’ led to more than 60 mysterious or unsolved murders in Osage County as criminals tried to gain those headrights.

Today, oil remains strong in Oklahoma, with the state ranking sixth in crude oil production in the U.S. in 2025. Cushing, Oklahoma, remains the most crucial hub for crude oil in North America, and it is known as the ‘Pipeline Crossroads of the World.’

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.