The Golden Driller was intended to be a temporary attraction but was instead been transformed into a permeant fixture for Tulsa, Oklahoma. One of the tallest statues in the United States, the monument has become an icon of Tulsa and for the entire state of Oklahoma in ways that continue to benefit stakeholders and the entire community.
A Defining Feature of the Tulsa Expo Center
Originally built as a temporary feature of the 1952 International Petroleum Exposition, what would eventually become the model for the Golden Driller would become permanently installed after being redesigned and enlarged. Built of steel and concrete, the current 76 feet tall monument weighs around 22 tons and is among the tallest free-standing statues in the United States.
This third edition of the piece was permanently installed in front of the Tulsa Expo Center for the 1966 International Petroleum Exposition. The Driller wears a tin helmet on his head and rests his right hand on an oil derrick relocated from a depleted oil field. Larger than its predecessors, it is dedicated to the “men of the petroleum industry.”
The city of Tulsa would eventually adopt the statue and place “Tulsa” on the belt buckle, showcasing what kind of acceptance and impact such a large monument can have for a location and community. That impact can be seen all across the region.
The Economic Impact of an Icon
One of the most photographed sites in Oklahoma, the Golden Driller statue appears on countless pieces of promotion materials. It has also become a central figure of promotion for local events. In terms of direct revenue, there is a snow cone stand in the summer that uses the imagery of the Golden Driller, while the Golden Driller Plaza cultivates activity all across the year.
The Golden Driller has been named one of the top 10 “quirkiest destinations” in the nation, with more photo sessions with tourists than any other Tulsa landmark. The statue itself often sports special shirts, shoes, or other accessories to celebrate a particular development, highlighting the connection to the community. Various shops and businesses across the region utilize the Golden Driller as part of their identity, cultivating connections with audiences of all types.
Coated with a layer of mustard paint that is designed to last 100 years, the Golden Driller is an icon in every sense of the word that is built to endure, ensuring the legacy that it has cultivated will continue to evolve in ways that continue to create a positive impact.
Oklahoma’s Official State Monument
Declared Oklahoma’s official state monument in 1979, the Golden Driller personifies the legacy of Oklahoma being the city once known as the “Oil Capital of the World.” Mentioned as a must-see attraction, the monument showcases the power of an icon to cultivate connections in the hearts and minds of audiences across the eras.
