Golden Driller
4145 E 21st St
Golden Driller
A beloved Tulsa landmark since 1966, the Golden Driller is a one-of-a-kind monument near historic Route 66. Weighing in at a whopping 43,500 pounds and standing 76 feet tall, the Golden Driller is one of the tallest freestanding statues in the United States.
The Driller was first erected by the Mid-Continental Supply Company at the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. After receiving glowing reviews, it was temporarily brought back for the 1959 trade show as well. Following the show, the statue was donated to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds Trust Authority. In 1979, the Golden Driller was even adopted as the state monument.
Throughout the years, the Golden Driller has withstood all sorts of weather, as has the oil derrick where the Driller's right hand rests. A plaque at the base of the monument reads "The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God's abundance a better life for mankind."
Photos
