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1. A Gushing Future at Deep River?

   A discovery of high-grade petroleum gas in Washington state sparks dreams of a regional energy boom.

   Jun 10, 1903The Evening StatesmanDeep River, Wahkiakum CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

2. The Oil That Bought a Port: How New York Tycoons Turned Aberdeen into a Petroleum Hub

   While the town buzzes with lumber and politics, a quiet deal is reshaping Grays Harbor’s economy. Ex-Mayor Grace of New York has secured exclusive rights to ship timber from Aberdeen to his oil fields in Peru, proving that local resources are now tied to global capital.

   Oct 23, 1890Aberdeen HeraldGrays Harbor, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor CountyFollow the Money

3. The City Council’s War on Inflammable Storage

   New regulations restricted the storage of petroleum, naphtha, and gasoline, mandating fireproof construction and buffer zones from the waterfront.

   Apr 10, 1889The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

4. The Oil That Could Burn the City: Seattle’s First Major Fire Safety Law

   In a move to prevent catastrophic blazes, the Common Council passes strict new rules for storing gasoline and kerosene, forcing merchants to build brick vaults or face heavy fines.

   Feb 16, 1889The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

5. A Close Call on Yesler Avenue

   A fire sparked by a porter's clumsy accident in a saloon basement is extinguished by a quick-thinking fire commissioner before it could threaten the neighborhood.

   Nov 22, 1892The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyDisasters

6. The Drunken Sea Lion of Olympia

   An intoxicated 800-pound sea lion is captured after a bender on crude oil.

   Feb 23, 1909The Tacoma TimesOlympia, Thurston CountyStrange But True

7. Convicts to Pave the Way?

   Walla Walla's Commercial Club debates a new state law to employ penitentiary inmates in road construction.

   Jun 10, 1903The Evening StatesmanCity Hall, Walla Walla, Walla Walla CountyWork & Pay

8. The Rattlesnake Well's Hidden Energy

   Engineers claim a natural gas well in the Rattlesnake district could power regional irrigation and heat every town from Ellensburg to Walla Walla.

   May 11, 1916The Kennewick Courier-ReporterKennewick, Benton CountyFollow the Money · Strange But True

9. Kennewick's Oil Boom That Keeps Waiting for the Drill

   A local editor watches speculators sell stock from Seattle to Walla Walla while the Rattlesnake district's gas well remains a mystery — and urges the town to back the one company actually drilling.

   Apr 27, 1916The Kennewick Courier-ReporterKennewick, Benton CountyFollow the Money · Boom & Bust

10. A Gasser, a Picnic, and a Promise: Kennewick Bets on Oil and Gas

    Drillers pause to case off 400 feet of water, 85 people picnic at the well, and a Yakima promoter promises a franchise — and maybe oil — by summer.

    May 4, 1916The Kennewick Courier-ReporterKennewick, Benton CountyFollow the Money · Boom & Bust

11. The Oil Men’s Last Stand: Seattle’s Battle Over Fire Safety and Corporate Power

    In March 1889, a proposed ordinance to ban oil storage within city limits sparked a fierce standoff between the Board of Trade and powerful petroleum interests. While the city pushed for safety, the oil dealers argued the rules were discriminatory and economically impossible, setting the stage for a legal battle that would define Seattle’s industrial future.

    Mar 22, 1889The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

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