Question: What town is known as the “Pump Jack Capital of Texas”?
Answer: Electra. When the Clayco No. 1 gusher erupted on April 1, 1911, townspeople who heard about it thought it was an April Fool’s joke. The discovery was followed by a massive drilling rush that transformed Electra into a boom town. Within two years, the region was producing eight million barrels of oil, and it would become a critical resource for the Allies during World War I.
In 2011, the state legislature designated Electra the “Pump Jack Capital of Texas” on account of its 5,000 pump jacks within a 10-mile radius. Today, Electra celebrates its pivotal role in the development of the state’s oil industry with the annual Pump Jack Festival, featuring a walking tour of antique oil equipment and a chili cook-off.
