Bring your camera when you come to see the Golden Driller. This huge and unmistakable statue is one of the most photographed sites in Oklahoma. Snapping the perfect shot of the yellow statue’s solemn face is almost obligatory on a visit to Tulsa.
Think about the state’s long involvement with the oil industry as you look up at this 76-foot (23-meter) statue of an oilman, complete with helmet. A golden statue of an oilman first arrived in Tulsa in 1953 as part of the International Petroleum Exposition. This original version of the monument was much smaller and featured a friendlier, sillier pose and expression. The statue was a hit an updated one appeared in the city in 1959. The current statue, the third edition, was installed in 1966. It is far larger than its predecessors and is tall enough to lean one arm on a genuine oil derrick that once belonged to an Oklahoma oilfield.
Stop to read the plaque at the foot of the statue, which notes that the Golden Driller is dedicated to the “men of the petroleum industry.” Since oil was discovered in Oklahoma in 1859, the material known as “black gold” has played a major role in shaping the fortunes of the state. Though oil production has declined over recent decades, the state was once the area that produced the most oil in the entire United States.
Explore the area around the statue. It is right next to the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, another great place to spend time during your visit to the city. Ride on a roller coaster, listen to live music or take your seat in the audience for the traditional Western attraction of a rodeo.
Take about 10 minutes to drive to the Golden Driller statue from downtown Tulsa. This quick journey will give you some of the most striking and memorable photos from your time in the city.
