By Larry Gill, Jr. submitted by Sally Metcalf Dawson

According to her historical report, there was clay suitable for brick just outside of town to the south and also a little farther northwest. At one time, a brick kiln was installed at both locations but there was little demand for the products and theses kilns were closed. The brick were so heavy that the cost of shipping to distant markets cut the profits too much. A chimney built out of these bricks on Mrs. Kuykendall’s house seemed to give evidence that the brick were of good quality. It was mentioned that iron ore gravel was used to build and repair roads.

The first oil drilling took place on Mr. Marcus Gilliam Broome’s land in 1914. Lots were sold for ten dollars each and stockholders were to share in all profits. People came from miles around to see the drilling. The well was a dry hole. During 1919 some workers on the Barron farm were digging a well and struck artesian water. Small quantities of oil were mixed with this water and for years a stream of oil-tinged water flowed across Mr. Barron’s land. In 1922 another attempt was made to strike oil. The drilling took place on the Eden’s land inside the city limits. The well was a failure.

The first successful oil drilling in the Beckville Independent School District was started about 1944. This activity was in the upper oil and gas producing sands. Approximately four years ago oil companies came back and started drilling on the cotton valley zone and other deep sands. From late 1982 and 1983 the oil industry is experiencing what is called an "Oil Glut" and all businesses connected with oil and gas production are seeing hard times.

Several mineral springs were in the community in 1943, which showed more iron than other minerals. The best-known spring was four miles north of town.

Outcroppings of lignite were observed in the area when Beckville was first built. Several places were near Beckville. Soon after the railroad was laid, a tunnel was dug into one of these lignite showings about four miles northwest of town. Several carloads were shipped to Longview where it was judged to be of poor quality.

Texas Utilities came into this area in the early 1970’s, bought up land, built a huge plant on Martin Lake and started mining lignite around 1978. The operation is extensive. The coal is dug by five large cranes. People call the cranes, "Bigfoot". This mining of lignite coal has produced a lot of wealth in Beckville and the surrounding areas.

In 1993 the company had a major cutback, and many people took the "buyout" that was offered. Currently the spring of 1995, another cutback is in the process.