Derrick is done August 12, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, History, Railroad.trackback
A view of the Route 66 Station's oil derrick from Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66. That's an American flag fluttering in the breeze at the very top.
Driving near Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66, in west Tulsa earlier today, I noticed that the commemorative oil derrick in the under-construction Route 66 Station park appeared to be finished.
And it is, according to KOTV in Tulsa.
A view from the bottom of the oil derrick.
More photos of the derrick’s construction can be seen here.
The 154-foot-tall derrick is part of a tribute to west Tulsa’s oil industry and the transportation that helped make it possible. This fall, a local group will move a refurbished Frisco 4500 steam-powered locomotive, rail cars and a caboose to the site.
An artist's rendering of the finished Route 66 Station.
It is not, however, the nation’s tallest oil derrick, as claimed in the story. There is another one at Six Flags over Texas that’s 300 feet tall. It’s not strictly an oil derrick per se, but the Tulsa derrick isn’t one, either.
UPDATE: Here’s the video from KOTV:
That’s just wonderful for Tulsa and Route 66. Is there going to be an observation deck on top?
No observation deck for now, Ron. I heard it’s because such a structure with a deck wouldn’t have met building codes.
And considering it’s a structure 150 feet high, I don’t object to the city insisting that it meet code.
[...] 154-foot-tall derrick has been finished for several months. It’s part of a Route 66 Station park that’s still under [...]
[...] oil tanker car will be placed on the grounds next. The park also serves as the home to the Red Fork Centennial oil derrick. More about the Route 66 Station can be found [...]