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Follow the History of the "Cradle of the Petroleum Age" on this 1 Day Tour of Beaumont. On January 10, 1901, the Lucas Gusher on Spindletop Hill exploded, shooting oil hundreds of feet in the air. The explosion was so intense that nine days later the oil column was still gushing nearly 200 feet high, producing around 100,000 barrels a day. Similar to the California Gold Rush of 1849, Beaumont experienced a surge in population from 9,000 in January of 1901 to over 30,000 a mere two months later. Over the next few years, dozens of oil companies were chartered. Six wells were erected on

Beaumont Birding Press Kit Southeast Texas has the views and the species unlike anywhere else. From the beaches of the coast to the piney woodlands, including our vast 900-acre wetlands, that offers a diverse population of wildlife and vegetation.  Thanks to Beaumont’s location smack in the path of two migratory bird flyways – the Central and Mississippi – hundreds of species call the region home either permanently or seasonally. Gulf habitats are essential to the annual cycles of many species of breeding and migrating including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and

Visitors will find no shortage of kid-friendly activities in Beaumont, where families can pose for photos at the world's largest working fire hydrant, cradle a baby gator, experience the wonders of nature on a leisurely boat ride, experience life in an oil boomtown or engage in friendly competition on the mini-golf course or go-kart track. Gator Country Adventure Park At this alligator theme park, guests can see the lifespan of an alligator and get up close and personal with nature's wild.  With hands-on activities like holding the baby gators, to helping feed them, the whole

From championship rodeos and Texas traditions to downtown parties and fido-friendly festivities, nearly every month in Beaumont brings a special event and another opportunity to enjoy mouth-watering food, live entertainment, outdoor pursuits and more. Be sure to visit our events calendar for up to date information.  January   Drillers Reunion - Each year, the Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum marks the anniversary of the Lucas Gusher at Spindletop with the Drillers Reunion . The museum blows the replica gusher on site and stages period re-enactments and other

Wildlife... At Cattail Marsh Wetlands Area, 900 acres offer a variety of recreational activities, with more than 8 miles of gravel roads perfect for jogging, biking, hiking and more. Take the family and make a contest out of who can spot the most animals. This wildlife refuge has attracted the interest of environmentalists and serious birders, with more than 350 species making appearances annually. It's also home to gators and aquatic animals. Cattail Marsh Wetlands Area is located at 5305 Tyrrell Park Road. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more

Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Take a step back in time to 1901 during the discovery of Spindletop - an event that would forever change the oil industry in Texas. At the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, visitors can tour a replica of what that boomtown city used to be like in the early 20th century. Travelers can take a tour of the "city" - including a visit to the local barber shop, and printing shop and saloon, among other places. Reenactments and vintage baseball games are just some of the activities patrons can enjoy. Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum is

If I tell you that January 10th marks the 114th anniversary of the Lucas gusher at Spindletop, which happens to be the defining event in Beaumont history, you'll probably wonder what the heck is Spindletop. And we'll get to that, but there's much more to this Southeast Texas city. Just take a look at these 5 unique historic spots. The Gusher That Started the Texas Oil Boom But first, let's talk oil. Oil certainly wasn't unknown before Spindletop gushed upwards in 1901, but there had been no significant oil production along the Gulf Coast previous to that event. It started

The  McFaddin-Ward House Museum  serves as the city's cultural and historic center offering house tours of the three-story home and hosting special events. The Home The historic home is a 12,800 square-foot Beaux Arts Colonial Revival style house and its structure and furnishings reflect the lifestyle of the prominent family who lived in the house for seventy-five years. The three-story home has been restored to the period 1906-1950 when the McFaddins and Wards lived in the home. With its four massive Ionic columns and colonnade-lined porch, the house graces a full city block. Two

Meet "Big Al." At 13 feet, four inches, he's a living example that everything's bigger in Texas. Al's habitat is Gator Country Adventure Park, an alligator theme park built on the remnants of a dilapidated alligator breeding farm that has been turned into a tourist attraction, Gator Country Adventure Park, by Gary Saurage and his partners. "This whole place was horrible," Saurage said. "All the ponds were just thick with lily pads and were so drained down, and there were only a couple of alligators here - it was just a horrible situation. And I thought,

Chosen by fortune for glory, the world first knew Beaumont through Spindletop, the oil field that proved petroleum could be found in quantities to supply the world. The technology, industry, and commerce that followed the petroleum bonanza grew and diversified until today where Beaumont’s oil industries resource the world. Traces of those glory days and great oil wealth still remain in abundance with our elegant homes, a dedication to the performing arts, a plethora of museums, eminent hospitals, and a university system working in partnership with the industry. Beaumont was established