Ohio was once oil king, but production peaked in 1896

Between 1895 and 1903, Ohio was the leading producer of crude oil in the country.

But Ohio’s reign as oil king was short-lived.

Production could not keep up with demand. Plus, major oil fields found in Texas and Oklahoma would quickly surpass Ohio’s.

Ohio’s petroleum industry did not know it at the time, but it’s obvious now: Ohio’s oil production peaked in 1896. That year Ohio’s wells generated 23.9 million barrels of oil.

After that year, oil production gradually decreased.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer