John Henry Kirby forms Kirby Petroleum Company.
The history of Kirby can be traced back to 1921 when John Henry Kirby, a pioneer in the development of the Houston business community, formed Kirby Petroleum Company, an oil and gas exploration and development company. Today, the name “Kirby” is a well recognized name in Houston, with the “Kirby Building” and the “Kirby Mansion” in downtown Houston and a major Houston street, “Kirby Drive,” all named in John Henry Kirby’s honor.