Saratoga Oilfield

Oil derricks at the Saratoga Oilfield in 1908

H.P. Meissner / Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Location:

Saratoga, TX

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Privately Owned

Oil production in Saratoga began in the late 1800s and continues to this day.

In 1860, John Fletcher Cotten discovered an oil seep nearby—his hogs had been wallowing in it—and constructed a primitive oil well on the site. However, his well did not produce very much, and he abandoned it shortly thereafter. 

In the years that followed, Saratoga drew interest from exploratory oil prospectors, known as “wildcatters,” and a small producing oil well was built on-site. 

In the early 1900s, the oilfield became commercially successful for the first time as oil production soared. Many large wooden derricks were built and construction began on a railroad to connect the town's oil and lumber industries with larger markets. The rapid growth from the oil boom slowed by the end of the decade, though wells in the 1950s and 1970s remained profitable.

Production continues today with many small pumpjacks in action around the oilfield.

Private Property

Note: The Saratoga Oilfield is on private property and trespassing is not allowed. You may drive through the oilfield on Rosier Park Road, which is public.