WINNEMUCCA - This is an unexpected photo in the Humboldt Museum collection. Getting set to drill for oil on the Black Rock!
The company hadn't finished the drilling tower; at least one more stage is set to go up in this photo.
This effort by the Black Rock Oil, Gas, Refining, and Development Company in 1919 wasn't even the first. The Western Pacific Railroad drilled the first hole in 1909. Their well went down 875 feet and mostly discovered water. A dry hole by oilmen's standards.
By 1921 the Black Rock OIl, Gas, etc., Company, drilling in the same area, came up with similar results. No "black gold" on the Black Rock, though old timers swear that these wells did produce significant amounts of methane, better known as natural gas.
Not as important a resource in 1920s America and not worth the expense of developing in such a challenging location.
The real gold of the desert is in the mountains just visible in this picture. That is where Allied Nevada is currently developing the Hycroft Mine.
- Compiled by Barbara Powell
nevadasdesertlegends.com
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