Browsing West Virginia History OnView

IDNO:: 033184
Title:: Pumping an Oil Well, Wetzel County, W. Va.
Date:: undated
Description:: 'Wetzel County is situated in the extreme northwestern corner of West Virginia, in the Pittsburgh region, and so is in the very midst of a region which is very rich both in petroleum and natural gas. In a single year the wells of West Virginia produce more than 14,000,000 barrels of petroleum, and natural gas worth more than $4,000,000. In order to reach the oil it is necessary to drill through the solid rock, and sometimes to the depth of thousands of feed. Now and then the oil will rise to the surface, but for the most part it must be pumped up by machinery. The methods of drilling and pumping are everywhere just about the same. First comes the derrick, a frame-work about 20 feet square at the bottom, tapering almost to a point at the top, and rising to a height of from 40 to 60 feet. In the view parts of two derricks are seen. A stem engine is also necessary to work the pump, through a single engine is often sufficient to supply power for several wells. The large horizontal beam, seen above the horseman's head, rests upon a pivot in the center and the ends play up and down. One end is over the well and works the pump. When brought to the surface the oil is stored in huge iron tanks, or else is carried in pipe lines under ground and over mountains eastward to the great cities to be refined and shipped to markets all the world over.'

IDNO:: 037283
Title:: Drilling an Oil Well on Porter's Fork, Lincoln County, W. Va.
Date:: ca. 1890-1910
Description:: Postcard showing four men standing at the base of an oil well.

IDNO:: 040527
Title:: Fred S. Hathaway On Waitman T. Willey Dye Farm, Calhoun, W. Va.
Date:: ca. 1916-1917
Description:: Fred S. Hathaway on top of an oil tank loacted on Dr. W. T. W. Dye's farm.