Welcome

Joshua Cosden built the Southwest Refining Company oil refinery in 1910. He sold it to Stone and Webster of Boston, Massachusetts in 1917. The Barnsdall Oil Company had discovered the nearby Bigheart (later Barnsdall) oilfield in 1916. The Barnsdall Oil Company, bought the refinery in 1921. The town was renamed on January 1, 1922 in honor of Mr. Barnsdall.

The town of Barnsdall experienced a tornado in April 1911, a major fire in March 1913 and a flood in September 1915. Despite these calamities, the population increased from 307 in 1910 to 2,099 in 1920. That proved to be the high point of population in the town.

Barnsdall Refining Company renamed itself Bareco Oil Company in 1940. It ceased refining oil in 1946 and began producing microcrystalline waxes that year. Petrolite Corporation (now part of Baker Hughes Inc.) bought Bareco and has continued to operate the plant.

E. L. Doherty bought the holdings of Theodore N. Barnsdall, founder of Barnsdall Oil Company, in 1912.

Our city if governed by the Mayor with four (4) city council members.

City Council meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 4:30 pm at City Hall:

• Memorial Flowers need to be removed from Cemetery by June 9th.
• New Animal Control Officer starting for the City of Barnsdall. Ticket Fees for Dog Running at large are $169.00 plus Court Fees $30.00
• Please take advantage of online bill pay or drop box.
• Water department has several ongoing leaks that are schedule to be repaired
• If you have any questions or need to report an issue, please call City Hall at (918) 847-2980
• Code of Ordinances to be added to web site soon. Hard copy available at City Hall.