Skelly Oil Independent Oil Company

Skelly Oil Company was founded in 1919 by William Grove Skelly in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It became one of the worlds largest, independent oil companies. Previously, it was known as Midland Refining Company. William G. Skelly also founded Spartan School of Aeronautics and Spartan Aircraft Company. He launched the International Oil Exposition

In the 1920s, Skelly Oil Company rose to great heights and was one of the largest companies of the world. William Skelly was one of the richest men in the country and was interested in aeronautics. His company sponsored the radio drama series, The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen and Captain Midnight. Both the series were based on aviation.

In 1931, oil and gas wells were discovered on Poverty Ridge in Skellyville, which was two miles northwest of Cunningham. Skelly Oil Company erected a gasoline plant towards the end of 1933. In April 1934, actual processing operations began which was a boon for the Cunningham community since the country was going through Depression.
Construction of offices for the production and pipeline departments of Skelly Oil was undertaken. There were over twenty homes in Skellyville. Some were owned by the company while others were owned privately. Skellyville was built on land leased from Frank Miles, who owned a large farmhouse in the area. About thirty men were employed at the plant during peak operation.
The gasoline plant closed in May 1958. The closure was due to the depletion of the gas supply in the wells. When the plant was in operation, four men, Ray Amick, Guy Remy, Jake Kees and Glen Pearson, constantly worked there. After the closure, Ray Amick remained as the sole employee and worked as security guard for a short time. The gasoline plant of Skelly Oil was dismantled and the homes were removed.
William Skelly lost control of his company to J. Paul Getty. The production department, which takes care of the company-owned oil wells, is still in operation with only thirteen employees. An office is still maintained in the Skellyville area but the company is no longer Skelly. In 1977, Skelly Oil Company eventually merged into Getty Oil Company. Many former Skelly gas stations were rebranded to Getty. Jim Parkhurst heads the Getty production department in Skellyville and all former Skelly employees are now Getty employees.
The pipe-line department, the third department of the operation, is still operating but on a limited basis. The department is operated from the refinery in El Dorado with Ivan Cain in charge. When Getty Oil Company took over, the name of each operation was gradually changed, thus, making the name of Skelly Oil Company nearly a thing of the past.
Texaco Oil Company is taking over Getty Oil and all will change once again but the name of Skelly Oil Company will not be forgotten since the name Skelly still exists in the name of Skellytown, Texas, and the Skelly Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Oldgas