Description: In 1898, a prolific oil pool was discovered. The town of approximately 900 people grew to 12,000 in about two years as about 1,000 oil wells were drilled. The local college attendance dropped from 300 students to 25, as the students rushed to the oil field for jobs. The oil boom lasted for about two years and town decreased to the previous size. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07625
Subjects: Oil fields--Ohio; Oil wells; Oil industry; Harrison County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of what appears to be an oil drilling site. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed "Ewing Brothers" and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV71_b09_f550
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Laborers; Animals; Oil wells
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: This photograph of three young men near an oil well was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed "Ewing Brothers" and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV71_B10_F568
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States--History; Oil wells;
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: This photograph showing a family posed on the porch and balcony of a two-story home with oil derricks in the distance was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was taken in the region of southeastern Ohio and central West Virginia. Written on the negative is the name Joe E. Snider of Big Springs, West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed "Ewing Brothers" and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio History Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV71_B24_F2110
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Photographers--Ohio; Portrait photography--United States--History; Houses; Oil wells;
Places: Big Springs (West Virginia)
 

Description: This 5.25" x 3.25" (13.34 x 8.26 cm) postcard features a photograph of Junction City, Ohio. Dozens of oil rigs dot the landscape of the town. Junction City was established in 1872 by the merger of the towns of Trio City and Damascus. George Wolf and John Edmiston owned adjoining farms that became the towns of Damascus and Trio City in Perry County, Ohio. As the towns grew closer together, problems ensued between Wolf and Edmiston. They agreed to submit their claims to arbitration and it was recommended that the two towns be disbanded in favor of one, named Junction City. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1540_1507477_001
Subjects: Geography and Natural Resources; Ohio Government; Oil well drilling rigs; Oil wells; Petroleum industry
Places: Junction City (Ohio); Perry County (Ohio)