1974 Oil Refinery Defeat

In March of 1974, Durham rejected a proposal by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis for what would have been the world’s largest oil refinery.

After months of controversy—which pitted citizens group Save Our Shores, start-up newspaper Publick Occurrences, and freshman legislator Dudley Dudley against the steamroller tactics of Onassis, Governor Meldrim Thomson and Union Leader boss William Loeb—an overwhelming majority of Durham residents at Town Meeting refused to change their zoning to allow for the 400,000 barrels-per-day oil refinery and tank farm covering 3000 acres of the town.

At the April 26, 2014 annual meeting of the Durham Historic Association, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of that vote, DHA Director Dick Lord introduced residents who fought the refinery proposal to protect the small town character of Durham. Their example inspired many to believe that a small community can come together and stand its ground against all odds. 

The Durham Town Council followed up on May 5, 2014 with a Resolution "recognizing the many current and former residents of Durham and members of the UNH academic community whose steadfast efforts resulted in the historic 1974 Town vote to prohibit construction of an oil refinery along the shore of Great Bay at Durham Point, on the 40th anniversary of the event, and expressing gratitude for their vision and generous devotion to the community."

Documents and images representing contemporary coverage of the drama as it unfolded may be downloaded from the "Supporting Documents" section below.