Antique Oil Derrick Stands Tall In Rural Yard

2011 - Volume #35, Issue #6, Page #22

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A 92-ft. tall oil derrick isn’t what most people would call a lawn ornament, but don’t tell Ron and Janie Grosjean, who have one in the backyard of their Wooster, Ohio, home.
    Ron purposely erected it there to honor his father-in-law, as well as to preserve a piece of history that he hopes will educate future generations.
    Grosjean has a 700-acre farm and is a supervisor for his now deceased father-in-law’s company, Ken Miller Supply, which supplies pipe and equipment and provides services to oil companies.
    Over the past 40 years, Grosjean estimates he has torn down 50 out-of-production derricks that Miller bought and sold for scrap.
    Grosjean hired a couple of friends to help him move and restore the rare 1926 derrick, which was about 30 miles from Wooster, sitting in woods on a hillside. A road had to be bulldozed through the trees before they could get started.
    “We rented a high lift and started at the top, letting it down piece by piece, with a rope and pulley,” Grosjean says. The crew loaded and transported all the parts on farm wagons within 10 days. The longest angle iron pieces were 22 ft. long near the bottom. The heaviest item was the 3,000-lb. bull wheel.
    Grosjean and his crew secured the 24 by 24-ft. base on deep concrete pads. They wire-wheeled the galvanized pieces before applying top-quality silver paint.
    “It was in really good condition considering how old it is,” Grosjean says. “We were able to reuse 70 percent of the bolts.”
    They assembled the top 40 ft. of the derrick on the ground, and Grosjean hired a crane to lift it in place. He mounted a lighted metal cross on top.
    “People thought I was building a cell tower for awhile. Nobody here had ever seen one,” Grosjean says. “Most were torn down in the 1970’s.”
    Grosjean built a shed to replicate the shanty that once protected equipment and workers who drilled the well.
    The derrick isn’t operable, but visitors can see all the parts, including the one-cylinder gas engine and a section of 12-in. well casing to get a good understanding about how hard it was to work the oil fields in the early 20th Century. It fits well with Grosjean’s restored Oliver tractor collection and other collectibles in his private museum.
    “I give private tours. People who are interested can call ahead to look at the derrick and all my equipment,” Grosjean offers.
    The tower with its lighted cross can be seen from miles away.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ronald L. Grosjean, 2459 Columbus Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 (ph 330 264-7106; www.kenmillersupply.com).

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Antique Oil Derrick Stands Tall In Rural Yard AG WORLD A 92-ft tall oil derrick isn’t what most people would call a lawn ornament but don’t tell Ron and Janie Grosjean who have one in the backyard of their Wooster Ohio home Ron purposely erected it there to honor his father-in-law as well as to preserve a piece of history that he hopes will educate future generations Grosjean has a 700-acre farm and is a supervisor for his now deceased father-in-law’s company Ken Miller Supply which supplies pipe and equipment and provides services to oil companies Over the past 40 years Grosjean estimates he has torn down 50 out-of-production derricks that Miller bought and sold for scrap Grosjean hired a couple of friends to help him move and restore the rare 1926 derrick which was about 30 miles from Wooster sitting in woods on a hillside A road had to be bulldozed through the trees before they could get started “We rented a high lift and started at the top letting it down piece by piece with a rope and pulley ” Grosjean says The crew loaded and transported all the parts on farm wagons within 10 days The longest angle iron pieces were 22 ft long near the bottom The heaviest item was the 3 000-lb bull wheel Grosjean and his crew secured the 24 by 24-ft base on deep concrete pads They wire-wheeled the galvanized pieces before applying top-quality silver paint “It was in really good condition considering how old it is ” Grosjean says “We were able to reuse 70 percent of the bolts ” They assembled the top 40 ft of the derrick on the ground and Grosjean hired a crane to lift it in place He mounted a lighted metal cross on top “People thought I was building a cell tower for awhile Nobody here had ever seen one ” Grosjean says “Most were torn down in the 1970’s ” Grosjean built a shed to replicate the shanty that once protected equipment and workers who drilled the well The derrick isn’t operable but visitors can see all the parts including the one-cylinder gas engine and a section of 12-in well casing to get a good understanding about how hard it was to work the oil fields in the early 20th Century It fits well with Grosjean’s restored Oliver tractor collection and other collectibles in his private museum “I give private tours People who are interested can call ahead to look at the derrick and all my equipment ” Grosjean offers The tower with its lighted cross can be seen from miles away Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ronald L Grosjean 2459 Columbus Rd Wooster Ohio 44691 ph 330 264-7106; www kenmillersupply com

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