Crown History
In the beginning
On a barren piece of land in Harris County, Texas, just outside of Houston, a discouraged but determined drilling crew struck “black gold” in 1917. Weeks after paychecks from the new Crown Oil and Refining Company had run dry, “Well Number 3” finally spouted oil. However, what flowed from the well was more than just crude oil; it was the foundation of what became the Crown Central Petroleum Corporation.
Expanding
In 1930, a group of Baltimore-based businessmen led by Mr. Louis Blaustein took notice of the growing Texas company, and bought a 48% share of Crown. Shortly afterward, Crown purchased a tank wagon and began to sell products through a chain of 30 stations in the Houston area.
Going Public
Five years later, in 1935, Crown went public, listing on the Curb Exchange, the predecessor of the American Stock Exchange. Crown’s success continued as it pioneered the manufacturing of 100-octane aviation gasoline, which the U.S. Navy utilized in its high-performance airplane engines during World War II.
The Start of Marketing
In 1943, Crown opened its first stations in the Baltimore area, marking the start of an extensive marketing campaign.
An Innovator
Known as an innovator in the petroleum industry, Crown has been credited with introducing a license program designed to give marketers and their dealers a wide range of custom alternatives that successfully compete with conventional branding programs.
Today
Today, Crown is an iconic brand with locations serving thousands of people each day in the Mid-Atlantic and the South, including Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia.