Oil History

Harris County Had One of Texas's Early Oil Discoveries

The Goose Creek Oil Field near Baytown in Harris County was one of the early Texas oil discoveries that helped fuel the county's industrial growth.

Harris County History & Culture

Oil was first found at Goose Creek in Harris County in 1908, and a major commercial gusher came in 1916. The field pulled oil from under the bay floor. It was the first offshore oil field in Texas. Workers poured into the Baytown area and other Ship Channel communities to work in the new refineries.

By 1929, about 27% of all manufacturing workers in Harris County worked in oil refineries. The Ship Channel gave tankers deep-water access to the coast. That, combined with nearby crude oil, made Harris County a natural home for petrochemical refining. This industrial base shaped the Houston economy for the rest of the 20th century.

Source to confirm: Texas State Historical Association – Goose Creek Oil Field

More Harris County notes

Appraisal District

Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County

The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets the taxable value of every property in the county each year.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead Exemption Can Cut Your Tax Bill in Harris County

Homeowners who live in their Harris County home as their primary residence can get a significant cut in their property tax bill through the homestead exemption.

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Property Tax Protest

You Can Fight Your Appraisal in Harris County

Harris County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value every year — and many do.

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Municipal Utility Districts

What a MUD Is — and Why It Matters in Harris County

Harris County has hundreds of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that provide water, sewer, and drainage to homes outside city limits.

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