ElDorado Arkansas Oil Well Lightning Fire Caddo-Central Rogers #1 1921 Real Photo Postcard

The incident at ADDO-Central Rogers #1, captured on March 11, 1921, depicts a lightning strike igniting an oil well in the burgeoning El Dorado oil field of Arkansas. This event occurred merely two months after the Busey No. 1 well first struck oil in January 1921, initiating one of the most significant oil booms in American history. Such fires were a frequent and dangerous occurrence in early oil extraction, often fueled by highly volatile natural gas and crude oil, showcasing the inherent risks of the industry.