FFF 1943: Florida's First Oil Well – A Wildcatters' Tale 🌿

Before Florida became famous for sunshine, oranges, theme parks, and Florida Man, it was home to some seriously stubborn oil hunters. From dry holes to deep drilling, this story is a wild ride through Florida’s rocky road to petroleum success.

The First Attempt ⛏️ In 1901, Florida’s first oil wells were drilled near Pensacola. They went over 1,600 feet deep and… nada. A big fat dry hole. But hey, who needs success on the first try? That’s quitter talk!

Barron Collier’s Vision 🏝️ Barron G. Collier didn’t just buy land—he bought dreams. By the 1920s, he owned 1.3 million acres of Florida swamps and wilderness because he swore he could smell the oil. Spoiler: he wasn’t wrong. Also, he bankrolled the Tamiami Trail because why not?

The $50,000 Bounty 💰 In 1939, Florida dangled a $50,000 bounty for anyone who could actually hit oil. After 80 dry wells, Humble Oil (now ExxonMobil) said, “Hold our drill bit.” They burned through $1 million to find it. Dedication or obsession? You decide.

Sunniland Success 🪨 Finally, in 1943, the Sunniland No. 1 well near Immokalee hit black gold at 11,626 feet. It wasn’t exactly a gusher—140 barrels a day—but it was enough to grab that sweet $50,000 prize. Persistence really does pay off!

Sharing the Wealth 🕊️ Humble Oil didn’t keep the cash. They added $10,000 of their own and gave the $60,000 to the University of Florida and Florida State College for Women (now FSU). Oil money funding education? Gotta love it!

Oil Boom Beginnings ✨ By the 1950s, the Sunniland field was cranking out 500,000 barrels annually. Florida officially joined the oil party—and it was fashionably late but fabulous.

Then and Now 🚀 That $50,000 prize in 1943? Worth over $850,000 today. Humble Oil may not have struck it rich immediately, but they definitely made history—and a lot of noise doing it.

Feeling Fun this Friday?

Florida Man Birthday Challenge 🎂

Want to have a little fun with us? Try the Florida Man Birthday Challenge!

Simply Google "Florida Man" followed by your birthday (e.g., "Florida Man January 17") and discover the wild antics a Florida man was up to on your special

or check out these https://www.boredpanda.com/hilarious-florida-man-headings/

Florida Man? OR Florida LEGEND?!