Old American Well collection
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Old American Well collection
- Date
- 1829-1959 (inclusive)
- Creator
- McGee, Curtis, Mrs.
- Extent
- 0.23 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Petroleum -- Therapeutic use.
- Historical markers -- Kentucky -- Burkesville.
- Oil wells -- Kentucky -- Burkesville.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by format.
- Preferred Citation
- 61m273: [identification of item], Old American Well collection, 1829-1959, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Old American Well was the first commercial oil well in the United States. It was discovered by William Beatty in 1829 as he drilled for salt brine on a farm near Burksville, Kentucky. The oil was bottled and marketed medicinally as a cure-all under the name "American Rock Oil". The oil well was operated until the Civil War when its output ceased to be oil and instead was mainly salt brine.
- "Kentucky's Great American Oil Well." American Oil & Gas Historical Society. Accessed November 3, 2015. http://aoghs.org/states/kentuckys-great-american-well/
- Scope and Content
- The Old American Well collection (dated 1829-1959; 0.23 cubic feet; 1 box) contain information documenting the first commercially operated oil well in the United States. The materials were gathered by Mrs. Curtis McGee as part of an effort to commemorate the discovery of the well. There are letters concerning the centennial celebration in 1929 and the installation of a historical marker in 1934, magazine articles on the history of the well, and some photographs of the area. Also included are short articles about the well and about Kentucky's geology; these articles were written by Geologist Willard Rouse Jillson.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
