How it all began back in 1951…from the State Historical Society of North Dakota
“Many people guessed that North Dakota’s soil could produce more than wheat. Mineral rights and oil leases began changing hands in an uncertain market early in the twentieth century. Tom Leach was one of North Dakota’s leading independent oil geologists. He convinced the Amerada Oil Company to drill in eastern Williams County near Tioga. On April 4, 1951, drillers at the Clarence Iverson Number 1 struck oil. With this discovery, North Dakota opened its oil patch in the Williston Basin. As of August 2008, the Williston Basin has produced more than 5 billion barrels of oil in North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.”
“Production of the early oil fields peaked in 1982 and then began a decline that left some towns desperate to fill empty houses and schools that had been built during the boom. In 2007, news about the Bakken formation brought high hopes back to the West River country. The Bakken is expected to produce several billion barrels of oil.”
(Pic shows the derrick of the Clarence Iverson Test Well No. 1 eight miles south of Tioga. Building of the well started on August 4, 1950.) Credit: State Historical Society of North Dakota (00284-179)
“The state legislature taxed production on the wells, and producing wells located on state land paid a lease fee. Two documents presented here for the month of August 1954 indicate that $1,012.51 in taxes was paid to the state from Amerada Oil Co. Each well also paid leases to the State Land Office as indicated on Form 13 S.O.P. 7-51.”
“The statistics presented in this document set were taken from a small publication titled Oil Statistics 1989 which was published by the North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties as a project of the state’s centennial. These few pages of statistics indicate the change in oil production in twenty-three counties from 1950 to 1983. If you would like to know more about recent oil production including the Bakken, see the reports at https://www.dmr.nd.gov/oilgas/.” SHSND Main Collection 338.27282 039 1989
What happened in 1952?
10,000 people showed up for a region-wide celebration of the 1st year discovery. 3,000 pounds of prime beef were provided by Amerada (now known as Hess).
A couple articles from the archives.
“Plan Barbeque for 10,000 at Williston”
“Williston Celebrates Big Oil Day”
And, a button that was worn during the day.
Here’s one of the posters what was used to promote the event.
We’ll post more historical documents and pictures as they get scanned. They’re fascinating to read.
In 1981…June 26th and 27th
There was a 30-year celebration. We are scant on records. Although, we do have a pic of the Williston Basin Energy Festival Beer that was especially brewed for the event. Mayor Ward Koeser says, he specifically remembers the event and how much fun everyone had. Please submit your pictures of any of the celebrations if you have them.
Where are we today?
The Williston Basin continues to produce at ever increasing rates. It’s had its ups and downs. It’s become wiser because of them. North Dakota is doing great economically and Williston is living up to its trademark of being “The Western Star”. We are a shining beacon for the rest of the United States. Who would have known when that first well was drilled what the long-term implications would be. Energy has helped bring economic prosperity to the region. On a personal level it’s the opportunity for dedicated men and women to raise a family in an area where the quality of life is excellent.
A 60-year Anniversary Celebration.
The time was right for a massive, region-wide celebration!
Just after the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce completed its summer BLAST event (the most successful in the history of the Chamber), the Executive Director and his wife sketched out a plan for a region-wide event focused on the Energy Industry.
Little did they know that the scrapbooks from 1952 covering the 1st every “Oil Discovery” day were less than 50 feet away. They just needed to be dusted off. They told in specific detail the story from 1952. Please check back for more posted scans. They will be great to show to people who were alive then.
Time is not our friend. How you can help
We have the same problem shown in the ad from 1952 entitled, “In the Williston Basin”. In it they say, the firms listed below are presently in Williston. There may be more, and we apologize for omissions, if any, which may arise because of the rapid development here. Sound familiar, right?
Please help us get the word out. We alone can’t get to everyone. You can help us. We’ve have over 400 Energy-related companies operating around Williston alone much less the Williston Basin. Help us reach them and notify them of the Festival. Reach out to your Facebook friends. Email your relatives, co-workers and neighbors. Talk to your customers and vendors. Point them to this website. Together, we’ll make sure we don’t leave an Energy Industry company behind. Thank you.
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