(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

In the late 1880s, Findlay became famous for its “great fire in the ground.” The discovery of natural gas transformed the city into a booming industrial hub, drawing national attention and reshaping Hancock County’s future. But gas wasn’t the only resource that fueled dreams of fortune in northwest Ohio. Just to the south and west, oil fields were springing up that rivaled some of the largest in the nation.

On Thursday, October 2nd at noon, the Hancock Historical Museum will welcome longtime Toledo news broadcaster and historian Lou Hebert for a Brown Bag Lecture titled “When Oil Was King in Northwest Ohio.” Lou will explore the era when Wood, Hancock, and Allen Counties stood at the center of the nation’s oil and gas industry. For decades, nearly every farmer and landowner in the region seemed to have a derrick on their property and a dream of striking it rich. These were heady, hardy times that brought new money, new people, and big hopes for the future—leaving a lasting imprint on our communities.

Lou Hebert has been a news broadcaster for over 50 years, spending most of his career in the Toledo area with additional work in Denver, Detroit, and Chicago. Since retiring, he has followed his passion for what he calls “the news of yesterday.” Lou writes a weekly history column for The Press newspaper and is the author of several books, including Day by Day in Toledo and Hidden History of Toledo. He actively works with regional museums and history groups and continues to research new projects. Lou lives in Bowling Green with his wife, Kay-Lynne.

The Brown Bag Lecture will take place at the Hancock Historical Museum, 422 W. Sandusky Street, Findlay. The program begins at noon and will last 45–60 minutes. Admission is free for museum members and $3 for non-members. For more information, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.