Magnolia plant in Premont, circa 1956

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Oil was discovered in the South Texas town of Premont in 1933. Oil production brought a measure of prosperity to the town. This photo shows the production facilities of the Magnolia Petroleum Company. Magnolia was one of the first Texas oil companies, emerging from the earliest refineries at Coriscana and Spindletop. In 1925 it became an afflilate of Standard Oil in New York but retained the Magnolia name and status as a separate property until 1959, when it was absorbed into the Mobil Oil Company.

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Prints and Photographs Collection, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 1968/89-1524.