Beaumont began as a lumber town,
but by 1901, became the oil capital
About
We are the Beaumont Economic Development Foundation, your community partner dedicated to the economic growth of the Southeast Texas region. Our foundation leads economic and workforce development in Beaumont, Texas, recruiting new businesses, employers, and opportunities. To drive a stronger economy, we strive to help local companies grow, develop mutual partnerships, and provide educational opportunities for the local workforce.
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Home to over 350 species of birds, a city just 25 miles away from the Louisiana border, and the fourth most affordable city in Texas, Beaumont has a lot to offer. Download our fact sheet to learn more about the City of Beaumont.
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We offer unique opportunities for those joining the Beaumont community. To learn more about the policies and legislative activity taking place in Beaumont, check out this booklet
Beaumont's Impact on Industry
Beaumont began as an important lumber and rice-milling town who played a major role in rebuilding the railroads after the Civil War.
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1834-1835
Joseph P. Pulsifer, Henry Millard and Thomas Huling, founded the original townsite that later become Beaumont, acting as recruiters for townspeople.
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1838
Beaumont was officially signed into a town by Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas. Lamar's creation of Beaumont included eight brief sections, the first of them declaring that Beaumont was a "body politic." Beaumont's first mayor was Alexander Calder.
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1824
Bobby and Nancy Tevis settled on the west bank of the Neches River and developed a farm. This eventually evolved into a small town.
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1836
During the Texas Revolution, Beaumont's leadership played a role in the battle fought in San Jacinto against the Mexican forces. The success of this battle gained the State of Texas independence from the Republic of Mexico.
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1901
Lucas gusher on Spindletop Hill exploded (200 ft high, and 100,000 barrels a day). The population grew from 9,000 to 30,000. In the following years, dozens of oil companies were chartered. Six wells were erected on Spindletop -- helping the US become the leading petroleum-producing nation. Spindletop became the first major oil field and the largest in American history, ushering in the Petroleum Age.