From salt wells to black gold

Burning Springs

Visitors exploring a historic outdoor site with wooden buildings and a tower, surrounded by green trees and grass.

Burning Springs began as Native American territory before European settlers arrived in 1772. What started as failed salt well attempts in the 1830s and 1850s turned into West Virginia's first major oil discovery when the Rathbone brothers struck black gold in 1859. Their famous well produced 500 barrels per day, sparking an oil rush that transformed a wilderness into a boomtown of 10,000 people almost overnight.

But the Civil War brought disaster in 1863 when Confederate troops burned the entire operation, setting the Little Kanawha River ablaze for miles. Despite this setback, the oil industry here persevered and continued producing well into the late 1800s.

Read the full history over on our blog →

Location & Hours:

Located in Wirt County on Rt. 5 outside of Elizabeth, approximately one hour from both Parkersburg and Marietta (Open directions)

Phone: (304) 485-5446

Hours: Park open daily. Museum open by appointment only.

Have more questions? See our FAQ section below or contact us.

Visiting Burning Springs

Oval logo with a gold background and white text that reads "Burning Springs Since 1792."
A man stands in a small museum with historical artifacts and photographs on the walls.
Signs along a roadside, including a brown sign for BURNING SPRINGS PARK, a white historical marker, and a blue and white travel information sign, with trees and grassy area nearby.
Exterior of a rustic wooden building with steps leading up to the entrance, surrounded by greenery.
An old farming or industrial machine made of metal with gears and a flywheel, displayed outdoors near a wooden structure and a fenced field, surrounded by trees and bushes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Located along the scenic Little Kanawha River, the wooded grounds of 31-acre Burning Springs Park include the Burning Springs Museum, site of the restored Rathbone Well, the world's oldest extant oil-well.

  • Use the Mineral Wells exit of Interstate 77 and go toward Elizabeth on WV Rt 5. You can’t miss it!

  • After this disaster at Burning Springs, it was thought that the oil industry may be over here. However, the Rathbones and some other families persevered and had more growing success. The Rathbones eventually sold out in 1865 for $400,000. Hundreds more wells were drilled within the next few decades. A great deal of oil was still produced at Burning Springs until the late 19th century. And yes, some oil is still produced today in some remaining wells.

  • You can support Burning Springs Museum through financial donations and/or volunteering your time. Your contribution helps us preserve this nationally significant site where America's oil industry began, maintain our exhibits and grounds, and continue sharing this remarkable story with future generations. Learn about specific volunteer opportunities or make a secure donation online.

Help preserve the remarkable story of America's first oil boom and restore our wooden structures.

Become a museum donor
A man and a young girl walking hand in hand on a grassy path in front of a brick building with vintage machinery and an outdoor mural.
Family visiting a historic wooden mill and farm on a sunny day with green grass and trees.
A large historic brick house with a red metal roof, white decorative trim, and green shutters, surrounded by green trees and a fenced lawn.
A two-story house painted in dark red with a front door, multiple windows, and a sloped shingle roof, situated behind a black metal fence and surrounded by small trees and shrubs.