El Dorado: Oil Boom Town Turned County Seat
El Dorado was founded in 1857 and serves as the seat of Butler County. The city's trajectory changed dramatically in 1915 when the Stapleton No. 1 well struck oil, triggering a boom that drew thousands of workers and speculators. By the 1920s, Butler County was one of the top oil-producing counties in the United States. The HollyFrontier (now HF Sinclair) refinery east of town continues to process crude oil and is one of the city's largest employers.
El Dorado Lake, a 4,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Walnut River, provides boating, fishing, and camping. The Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum document the region's petroleum heritage with original drilling equipment and period artifacts.
The city has a population of approximately 12,900. The Flint Hills extend into the western part of Butler County, contributing scenic grassland landscapes. El Dorado sits about 30 miles east of Wichita along the Kansas Turnpike, and many residents commute to the Wichita metro for work.
Show more
El Dorado was founded in 1857 and serves as the seat of Butler County. The city's trajectory changed dramatically in 1915 when the Stapleton No. 1 well struck oil, triggering a boom that drew thousands of workers and speculators. By the 1920s, Butler County was one of the top oil-producing counties in the United States. The HollyFrontier (now HF Sinclair) refinery east of town continues to process crude oil and is one of the city's largest employers.
El Dorado Lake, a 4,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Walnut River, provides boating, fishing, and camping. The Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum document the region's petroleum heritage with original drilling equipment and period artifacts.
The city has a population of approximately 12,900. The Flint Hills extend into the western part of Butler County, contributing scenic grassland landscapes. El Dorado sits about 30 miles east of Wichita along the Kansas Turnpike, and many residents commute to the Wichita metro for work.
Country selected
Region selected
City selected
