Especially back in the old days, before streamlined industrial practices and fast transit systems, people generally manufactured what they needed for use close-by.

Thousands of oil wells meant thousands of people and thousands of jobs for people making the parts and equipment needed to keep everything running. Mills and parts and supply houses were everywhere. An entire locally controlled industry developed out of metal workers and woodworkers who simply made oil storage tanks.

Sure, the oil people made money, but it reminds you of the Klondike gold rush, where the only people who made any real money were the people selling supplies and running mercantile stores.

This wooden mold was used in a foundry where my grandfather worked. They made all kinds of metal and sandstone parts.