Category Archives: Economic Geology

James Watt: From Wyoming’s Landscapes to Political Stances, Faith as a Driving Force

James “Jim” Watt, the former Interior Secretary, passed away on May 27, 2023, at the age of 85. While his tenure as Interior Secretary during the Reagan administration defined him, his career spanned various roles and contributions. Born and raised … Continue reading

Posted in American history, conservation, Economic Geology, energy resources, environmental history, Natural resources, oral histories, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

American oil exploration and memories of western Venezuela in the early 20th century

My interest in oil narratives stems my own personal experience as a native of one of the most representative oil towns in western Venezuela, Cabimas. I grew up in the shadow of towering oil derricks and gas flares, understanding that … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Geology, energy resources, environmental history, Extractivism, Geology, International Collections, Petroleum history, Racism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to the Future in Wyoming: Addressing 1980s Energy Boom Impacts in Evanston

“I’ve got to see it to believe it” was Evanston mayor Dennis Ottley’s first reaction when he heard about the Overthrust Industrial Association (OIA). A 1983 issue of the Christian Science Monitor, reported that Ottley was incredulous that an industry-backed … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Geology, Economic History, energy resources, Local history, Natural resources, Western history, western politics and leadership, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glimpses into the Iron Ore Mining Past of Sunrise, Wyoming

The Sunrise Mine and Town Site Photo Album offers a look at operations at the Sunrise Iron Ore Mine and the town of Sunrise, Wyoming, from 1899 to 1920. Sunrise, Wyoming, was a company mining town, founded in 1899 by … Continue reading

Posted in Digital collections, Economic Geology, found in the archive, Local history, mining history, Photographic collections, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Privy to Scandal: The Ralph O. Dietler Papers

One of the biggest scandals to ever rock the petroleum industry was the fraudulent leasing of United States oil reserves at Wyoming’s Teapot Dome, and the discovery of the Continental Trading Company, a Canadian corporation organized in 1921 to funnel … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Geology, energy resources, found in the archive, mining history, oral histories, Politics, Scandals, Teapot Dome scandal, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mileva Maravic remembers Prohibition in Gebo, Wyoming

The coal-mining town of Gebo was established in 1907 about twelve miles north of Thermopolis in Hot Springs County. It was named after Samuel Wilford Gebo who established the Owl Creek Coal Company and the first mine in the area after … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Geology, Family history, Local history, mining history, newly cataloged collections, Prohibition, Uncategorized, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mileva Maravic remembers Gebo, Wyoming

110 years ago, the coal-mining town of Gebo was established about twelve miles north of Thermopolis in Hot Springs County. The town took its name from Samuel W. Gebo, an entrepreneurial developer of the coal mines in Washakie and Hot … Continue reading

Posted in Coal industry, Economic Geology, found in the archive, Local history, mining history, newly processed collections, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Digging into the Archives: A Peek at Petroleum Collections at the American Heritage Center

In 1857, Edwin Drake drilled the first oil well in Titusville, PA, a momentous event that ignited the birth of the modern petroleum industry. From the humble beginnings of Drake’s well to the expansive industry it has evolved into, our … Continue reading

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