After several years of geophysical
explorations by the McCollum Seismograph Co in Eastern
Venezuela, mainly Anzoátequi, the South American Gulf Company
(later Venezuela Gulf Company) in 1927 considered it to be the
right moment to establish itself and for this purpose opened its
first offices in the east with headquarters in Barcelona,
maintaining telegraph contact with Maracaibo, from where it
received instructions... Due to the difficulty of penetrating
the north-south route, it was decided to move to a place near
the banks of the Orinoco River close to the town of Soledad
(across the river from Ciudad Bolivar) and near the La Pena
River. The offices were later moved to Ciudad Bolivar. It was in
1932 and via the Orinoco that the required drilling material and
equipment was transferred from Maracaibo...
By 1932 the Company had available in El Tigre, three
prefabricated houses, a mess hall, a repair shop also used as
warehouse and houses for both the Manager and
Superintendent.....By 1934 the increase in personnel had
required the construction of a camp on the north side of El
Tigre. Because of the condition or construction of the houses
(tents) it was named Campo de Lona. Likewise a clinic was made
available.... This same year the necessity for transportation
leads to studies for the construction of the El Tigre Puerto La
Cruz or better known as the San Tomé-Puerto la Cruz road
(construction begins in 1938).... In 1936. Venezuela Gulf Co.
becomes Mene Grande Oil Co., a Venezuelan firm, subsidiary of
Gulf Oil Corporation de Venezuela.
In 1937 after obtaining satisfactory results in drilling
activities, it becomes necessary to construct a solid camp which
would absorb both the local personnel as well as the personnel
to be transferred from Ciudad Bolivar. Several sites were
considered, but San Tomé was chosen (in 1930 a group of
geologists and engineers working in the area had selected the
430 hectares for this purpose, based on its mild climate and
location on the Mesa de Guanipa)....
By 1938 the future "center of operations and family
establishment" began to take the form of community. Most of the
personnel from El Tigre and Campo de Lona concentrated in one
big site, although separated by a fence for prevention and
security purposes (North and South Camps). Some of the personnel
in Ciudad Bolivar also became part of the San Tomé
population....
The only distraction from work available at the time were the
towns of El Tigrito and El Tigre.. Entertainment consisted of an
improvised club made of a palm roofed house, located on the
north section, right where the tennis and basketball courts are
now, where they also sold beer, hot dogs and sandwiches. Movies
were also shown outdoors at this same location where it was
required to bring your own chair... On the south area (South
Camp) families would convert their houses into mini-inns or
restaurants where they would serve up to 10 clients. Later the
Company would build a club and restaurant to be rented out to a
contractor.... It has been said that 1938 was a year similar to
the "gold rush" years in western USA (in this case "Black
Gold')....
From here on things moved pretty fast: By the end of 1938
North Camp had its own mess hall... Construction of the San Tomé
Hospital begins in 1940 and in 1941 opens its doors with 65
beds.... This same year (1940) a school is started in Campo
Oficina in El Tigre and moved to San Tomé the following year
(1941).... The Stadium is also initiated this year....
In 1942, the effects of the war in Europe were also felt in
San Tomé, since many of the North American personnel who were in
the reserve were called for duty. Believe it or not during this
period. San Tomé residents were required to turn off the lights
at 6:00 PM due to action that could be taken against the oil
fields....
In 1943 the San Tomé Terminal Club opens its doors.... In
1947 the Commissary is put into operation.... With the
construction in 1948 of the Planta Guara Oeste, San Tomé
produces its own electric energy. In 1951 a church and plaza
were built in South Camp (Mass was formerly held in
schoolrooms).. I don't know how many people remember, but 1958
was the year that the Company moved the house on stilts from the
school yard to a new location, using hydraulic jacks and
tractors. Quite a feat!... The San Tomé Gas Station was built in
1959.
Hugo Enet, Class of 1959
