In the 1880s, Findlay experienced one of the most dramatic transformations in Ohio history. It all began with the discovery of natural gas beneath the city, largely thanks to Dr. Charles Oesterlen, a German-born doctor who had settled in Findlay in 1836 and spent years trying to convince anyone who would listen that there was natural gas underground. On September 5, 1884, drilling began on his farm, and gas was struck at several depths. What followed was extraordinary! The village of around 4,000 people swelled to nearly 18,000 almost overnight, land values skyrocketed, hotels and boardinghouses were packed beyond capacity, and 42 people applied for a single rental house within 12 hours of it being advertised.

 

In January 1886, the Karg Well erupted with a massive flow of gas that burned for four months, roaring loudly enough to be heard five miles away and lighting the sky so brightly that newspapers could be read ten miles away at night and the glow could be seen all the way in Toledo!

 

Findlay used clever slogans to attract businesses to move to town and highlighted “cheap” gas. A published ad read “Free Fuel! Free Light! Free Sites! For the Manufacturers Who Will Locate in Findlay, Ohio” Banners sprung up across Main announcing the discovery of gas, “It Costs $1.05 to Keep Warm” and “Findlay, the Center of the World”. However, none indicated greater progress in labor saving for women than the one which proudly announced that: “Women Split No Wood in Findlay.”

 

By 1889, Findlay had added 17 churches, 15 school buildings, 4 streetcar lines, and 75 saloons. When the gas began running out around 1900, oil stepped in to keep the city going. The first major oil well in Hancock County had already produced 300 barrels a day back in 1885, and oil production helped save Findlay from what might have been a swift decline.

 

During this time, in 1887, Ohio Oil Company was founded when several small oil companies joined forces, the headquarters was moved to Findlay in 1889.  Today, you know them as Marathon Petroleum Company and their headquarters are still in Findlay, located in the heart of Downtown.