Whispers of oil discovery began in the early 1900's in Montgomery County, where gas and oil seeps had been noticed near the center of the present oil field. Local men formed several oil companies and started exploration from 1919 through 1924, but they were unsuccessful. In 1931, George Strake, an independent operator, became interested in Montgomery County, and his crew drilled one mile into the earth to reach the oil. When his second well came in producing a high quality of crude, an oil rush began in the county. The Conroe field has over 100 wells and is still producing.