Jennifer Burden, Historian-Educator at the Oil Region Alliance presents “The Family Histories and Lasting Impact of Coal Oil Johnny, the Oil Region’s Prodigal Son,” as part of Drake Well Museum and Park’s virtual Wisdom & Wine series.
John Washington Steele, AKA Coal Oil Johnny, is recognized as the Oil Region’s Prodigal Son due to his quickly gained wealth from oil royalties, his lavish spending habits, his inevitable downfall, and his surprising welcome return into the family fold. Recent research has helped to provide a better picture of Steele’s interweaving family histories and how they guided his early years and later life. As the 100th anniversary of his death nears, the legend of Coal Oil Johnny remains strong.