On February 17, 1944, H. L. Hunt struck oil at the No. 1 Jackson well, uncovering the Gilbertown oilfield — Alabama's first major commercial oil discovery. After hundreds of failed drilling attempts across the state, this breakthrough in Clarke County produced around 2,000 barrels per day and provided a meaningful economic boost during World War II. Though Alabama remained a minor player in U.S. petroleum, the discovery gave the state a strategically notable role in wartime energy production.
The field initially produced around 2,000 barrels per day, bringing newfound economic activity to Clarke County during World War II. At the time, Alabama's population was just over 2 million, and this discovery helped establish the state as a minor yet strategically important player in the U.S. petroleum industry.
