On January 10, 1901, a group of men working under Anthony Lucas were glumly, but determinedly, drilling for oil. Suddenly, the pipe catapulted into the air, and oil spouted 200 feet high. This was the Lucas well in the Spindletop field. Promoters, toughs, petty thieves, and soldiers of fortune rushed to Beaumont, but the town soon brought things under control. Later, another oil pool deeper than the original was discovered.

Located on the Neches River deep ship channel, which connects with the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico, Beaumont is an important inland port and industrial city. Chemicals, synthetic rubber, oil equipment, forest products, and ships are produced here. Rice is grown in the surrounding area and milled in Beaumont.