A family in front of an Oil Well

This rare and evocative photograph captures a family posing proudly in front of an oil derrick in Electra, Texas, around 1918—at the height of the Texas Oil Boom. The tall wooden rig looms in the background, a symbol of rapid industrial change and newfound prosperity. Known as the “Pump Jack Capital of Texas,” Electra saw a massive transformation after oil was struck in 1911, reshaping the landscape and the lives of its residents.

The family, dressed in their Sunday best, represents a generation that stood at the crossroads of rural tradition and modern industry. Even the baby in the cart and the young boy holding a hat are part of this visual narrative—an image of optimism during a time of growth and promise.

This photo offers a snapshot of life during the early 20th-century oil frontier, where families lived within steps of machinery that would define an era.

📍 United States, Electra, Texas — Year: 1918

🗂️ Tags: Texas oil boom, Electra TX, oil derrick, industrial history, early 20th century, family life, energy history, Wichita County, oilfield towns, 1910s America, historical photography

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