Oilworker Monument

August 18, 2010

Continuation of the rig install started early this morning. Two huge cranes, furnished by

Huddleston Crane Service, raised the first derrick leg at 8:25 a.m. Check out the photos

and watch this exciting installation.

THE DAY HAS ARRIVED……Early Tuesday morning, August17, 2010 a transport truck carrying the rig legs, crossbeams and Samson postarrived at the monument site.

Charlie Beard and his men worked all day Mondaypreparing the site and equipment needed to install the rig on the derrickfloor.

Huddleston Crane and Dave Noerr furnished thelarge crane used to remove the rig parts from the truck and place them on thederrick floor.  

This was a well orchestrated effort and the job completed within a few hours.

Warren Sauer and two of his employees were onsight to assist with the transfer of the rig pieces and will oversee theinstallation process.   Warrenis the owner of the Foundry  located in St. Louis, MO. where the rig was fabricated.

Men were working all day under the hot August sungetting ready to raise the rig.

The bricks will be installed starting Wednesday,Aug 18.  To date, more than 1250 bricks have been sold.

The Oildorado Store will open Saturday, August 21.  The Oilworker Monument occupies a corner in the store.  We will have souvenir merchandise for sale.  

Artist, Benjamin Victor, will be in Taft for the grand opening on the 21st. We will have bronze pieces sculptured by Benjamin on display for sale.

Would you like to own the #1 bronze figure of a limited edition? 

The Oilworker MonumentCommittee will be raffling off the #1  24” Bronze Roustabout figure.  Gallery Price $4,500

Drawing will be held October15, 2010 at the Oildorado Civic Luncheon.

Donations are $100 and winnerneed not be present to win.

Tickets may be purchased from any Committee member or at the Taft Chamber of Commerce.   A limited number of tickets willbe sold. (100)

HOORAY!!!!!  We have reached our goal for the monument!

The site work is almost finished.  Concrete is being poured this week where tables and benches will be placed.   A big thank you to West Kern Water District for installing the irrigation system.   We are about ready for the sod to be laid.  

Thank you King’s Nursery for providing the trees.

It is still not too late to be a part of this historic event.  The deadline for purchasing bricks and plaques has been extended to June 30, 2010.   (You may purchase after that date, but we cannot guarantee they will be installed by the dedication)

Ben Victor is creating the most amazing sculpture! You will want to vist and check it out! Bricks are still available to support the cost of the argest bronze sculpture in California right in Taft!

October 15-24, 2010. See you then! Don't miss out on the grand celebration of Taft's 100th Birthday/Anniversary and the Taft Oilworker Monument unveiled...!!!

October 15, 2009 started the one year countdown to Oildoradoand Taft’s 100th birthday celebration.   A luncheon was held at OT’s Cookhouse in Taft andhosted by Oildorado Inc.  Anestimated 100 people were in attendance for the countdown celebration. 

Michael R. Starzer, President and CEO of Bonanza CreekEnergy Operating Co., LLC presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to VicKillingsworth, chairman of the Oilworker Monument Committee.

SEMLOH Foundation has donated $100,000 to the OilworkerMonument Committee. 

The donations from individuals, companies and foundationsshow the passion people have in recognizing the contributions of the OIL WORKERto this area.

The Oilworker Monument Committee has made the decision to have the entire monument built of bronze.  This includes the 34 foot derrick, tools and men. If you have not contributed to this worthy cause, you still have time to have your company's name on a plaque.  Leave a legacy of your company and your employees. The first order of bricks have been placed.  We will be ordering more, so if you want to recognize a family member, friend or yourself, act now.