The mineral industry in Palo Pinto County has played an important part in its development since 1880 when coal was first mined at Coalville in the south part of the county.  This mine was put in operation after a short time, the miners went out on strike for higher wages.  The operating company couldn't meet the demands and the mine was closed for a time.  An agreement was made that the miners would operate on their own account and it was opened on those terms, but after a time they could not operate, except at a loss and the mine was closed and was never re-opened.

In 1888 W. W. Johnson and Harvey Johnson under the partnership of Johnson Brothers, sank the first mine shaft at Thurber and after sinking shaft number 2, sold the mine to New York parties who formed the Texas and Pacific Coal Company.  The company acquired lands in several counties and operated the mines for a number of years but the thin veins of coal and other factors made the venture unprofitable and the mines were closed soon after World War I.  Some small operations continued until about 10 years ago.

The Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company began to explore the possibilities of oil and gas production on their land early in this century and the first commercial well was brought in January 15, 1915, about 2 miles west of Strawn.  The depth was 829 feet.  Other wells were drilled and in 1917 oil was discovered at a point on Palo Pinto Creek near Strawn.  In June of 1919 the discovery well at Ranger brought an oil boom that spread quickly to surrounding counties including Palo Pinto.

A shallow gas field was discovered south of Mineral Wells in 1916 and in 1920 production was secured on the Hart Ranch in the west part of the county.  About 1922 the R. S. Dalton ranch yielded a producer taking in another part of the county in the oil district.  Other wells have been drilled around each of the locations and a large production followed.

Recently, leasing has picked up in this county and a large part of it which had not been leased recently has been leased.