In 1931, the Smithland community in eastern Lincoln County became the site of a brief but significant energy boom when natural gas wells were successfully drilled and tapped in what was geologically identified as the Smithland gas field which was originally discovered in 1929. To capitalize on this local discovery, a pipeline was constructed to transport the gas into Fayetteville, where it was distributed to homes and businesses, offering a modern and cleaner alternative to coal and wood for heating and cooking. However, the field's reserves were relatively shallow and limited; despite the initial success, the supply eventually dwindled, and the field was officially reported as abandoned by 1943, leaving the town without a dedicated natural gas source until the municipal utility was established later in 1949.
