In 1886, oil was discovered in Wood County in northwestern Ohio in the township of Cygnet. But like many others, the oil eventually dried up and towns disappeared. But Cygnet, the biggest oil town in the county, was a survivor. After World War II, when pumping gave way to storing oil, people left to find new jobs. Cygnet slowly declined but never died. Since 1890, its population had declined from 3,000 people to about 600. And Cygnet is the only area oil town left. Wood County is a mecca of more villages started in the 1880s than any of northwest Ohio's twenty counties. Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.