Why Visit Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown in Beaumont, Texas?
If you’re looking to see an iconic part of Texas history, look no further than the historic Spindletop Oil Field. In 1901, the Lucas gusher blew and became the largest oil strike in the world. The resulting oil boom transformed the region and changed the course of American history. The Gladys City Boomtown Museum is a replica of the original boomtown, complete with period buildings, artifacts, and exhibits that showcase life in the early 1900s.
A Great Field Trip for These Topics:
- Texas History
- The Oil Boom
Quick Info:
Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown
5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd.
Beaumont, TX 77705
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Adults: $5
Seniors (60+): $3
Children (6-12): $2
Children (5 and younger): $0
Need more info? Contact them here.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge as of the publishing of this article in March 2024. Contact Spindletop Glady City Boomtown for any changes, or to confirm.
What Can You Expect to See & Do at the Spindletop Museum?
After the discovery of the gusher, many people arrived in Beaumont with the hopes of making it big in the oilfield. In no time, Gladys City was built with clapboard buildings to cater to the needs of workers and their families. The current buildings represent businesses that operated in the original Gladys City in Beaumont in the year 1901, based on photographs of that time.
Tour the Buildings
Visitors are welcome to walk inside most of the buildings. From the barbershop to the general store & soda fountain, there is plenty to explore.
See the Monument
A Lucas Gusher Monument is also onsite for visitors to view. If you’re interested in seeing the original location of the Lucas Gusher, you can stop by the viewing area at Spindletop Park. It’s about a 5-minute drive from the museum.
Tips for Visitors:
This museum offers educational tours, resources, and many “extras,” including a gusher re-enactment. Check them out here.
A giftshop is available with books and other educational materials.
Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Video Preview
Fun Resources to Enhance the Field Trip:
Books:
- Texas Oil and Gas (Postcard History Series)
- Oil in Texas: The Gusher Age, 1895-1945 (Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas Heritage Series)
Toy/Model:
- Wood Trick Mechanical 3D Oil Tower
