Illinois Search for Petroleum (missing)
County:
Clark
Picture:
Location:
The marker was located one mile south of Westfield in a rest area park on IL 49. It is currently missing.
Latitude:
39.437
Longitude:
-87.9877
Dedication Date:
01/01/1976
Dedication By:
Clark County Historical Society and The Illinois State Historical Society
Marker Description:
Discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 created nationwide interest. Signs of petroleum had been observed in Illinois long before 1865 when one of the first wells was drilled about three miles south and 1/4 mile west of here. This well was unsuccessful but the drillers believed oil was present and formed the Clark County Petroleum and Mining Company in 1866. Later a nearby town was named Oilfield. The company lost interest because poor drilling methods kept most of the oil trapped underground. Improved technology led to a successful well being drilled near here in 1905.
Map: