A Gushing Future at Deep River?
A discovery of high-grade petroleum gas in Washington state sparks dreams of a regional energy boom.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
An important discovery of petroleum gas has been made at Deep River, opposite Astoria on the north side of the Columbia River, that is likely to cause a revolution in conditions on the lower Columbia. Mr. John Nelson, who owns land near the mouth of Deep River, found gas bubbling up from the bed of Gas Creek at low tide. When piped to his residence, it furnished both light and fuel. Expert analysis by Professor B. D. Campbell of Ann Arbor University confirmed it as high-grade hydrocarbon gas. Locals believe the discovery indicates the entire Deep River basin is underlaid with petroleum. If the deposit proves extensive, proponents suggest it could supply fuel for railways and factories in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Astoria, potentially transforming the area into a major manufacturing hub.
“The oil or gas either, can be piped 2000 miles and can supply Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Astoria with the fuel for factories.”
This article captures the turn-of-the-century 'oil fever' that gripped many Pacific Northwest towns. While the anticipated 'revolution' at Deep River never materialized into a major petroleum field, the hope for transformative industrial wealth remains a familiar trope in local economic development.
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