What is up Friends and Neighbors? Today is the first day of Tulsa Rules, a column that will serve to showcase some of the finest things Tulsa has going on. Why, because Tulsa Rules! Now I may be a called Tulsa fanboy but the evidence will be presented and you will see that you too will become a Tulsa fan!
This week we start with the biggest fanboy in Tulsa. I am talking about the Golden Driller. Located outside of the old International Petroleum Exposition building, now the QuikTrip Center, Tulsa’s original golden child stands tall for all to see.
He first made an appearance way back in 1953, although his appearance was a bit different than the Golden Driller we know of today. It was the fifties and Tulsa is riding high as the Oil Capital of the World. Yeah, I said the WORLD, that’s right Tulsa was the world leader in oil; all of this was brought to prominence by the International Petroleum Exposition and Congress which was basically a meeting of all the greatest oil minds and businessmen in the world. (think of it like a Star Trek Convention for oil…) The Golden Driller was temporary, but so popular that he made another appearance in 1959’s show.
Enter 1966 when once again the Golden Driller was asked to return. The Driller did indeed return in a permanent capacity, next to what was the largest clear span building in the world, also built in 1966. (The IPE building has no columns to support inside, really neat architecture if you think about it.)
Like a golem sentinel for Tulsa, the Golden Driller has stood to welcome all around to the greatness of our city. Though the IPE has changed around over the years, the land is our fairgrounds and thus so many events are held under the watchful eye of the Golden Driller.
In 1979 the Driller was named the Oklahoma state monument. During the many events that are held at the QuikTrip Center, the Golden Driller is often greeting the visitors. He has been willing to wear shirts advertising events and local Tulsa awesomeness because that is what a cool guy he is.
The Driller stands at 76 feet tall and over 43,000 pounds. His hero status is strong, having defied many villains (one of which shot him in the back with an arrow) and the vicious forces of nature in Oklahoma. He has spit in the face of Tornados and laughed at wind and hail.
You can not defeat the Driller! In fact, I have it on good presumption that if Tulsa is ever threatened by the Sorrow of Moldovia, the Driller would not hesitate to get up and lay the smack down upon the Carpathian warlord.
Well, there you have it, one of many reasons to proclaim that Tulsa Rules! It is without a doubt. Keep checking Tales to Astonish for more updates – including every Friday for another installment of Tulsa Rules! Oh, and feel free to shout it from the roof tops, just in case anybody didn’t hear.
As always, Be Excellent to Each Other!
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~BAT