Bluffs and Piasa Bird, 2016

Wood River Museum Standard Oil Collection (199 total)

This collection of photographs and documents related to the history of the Standard Oil refinery were loaned to us by the Wood River Museum to be digitized.

  • Collection: Wood River Museum Standard Oil Collection
Thumbnail Title Description Date Date Added
1957 Standard Oil Golden Anniversary Letter for the Magic Show "Catalyst Magic" This letter, typed with Standard Oil letterhead, was sent to all employees about a magic show celebrating Golden Anniversary from R. A. Jack. The Golden Anniversary was the 50th anniversary of the Standard Oil Refinery in Wood River. The letter states that the show is part of a dinner for civic leaders. September 5, 1957 October 1, 2018
Oil Tank at the Standard Oil Refinery in Wood River This circa 1970s color photograph shows a Standard Oil Tank from street view with a car and white fence in foreground. The Standard Oil logo is displayed in full color on the side of the tank, with the text "Standard Oil Division of American Oil Company Wood River Refinery." The company was later simply known as Amoco, for American Oil Company. Circa 1970s October 15, 2018
1915 Refinery Flood A black and white Albumen print with a wood board border. Labeled on front bottom right corner "Gotler Photo Wood River, Ill" and written on bottom left side in red pencil "Aug 15-1915." The photograph depicts five men standing in water up to mid shin - showing piping and refinery buildings in background. August 15, 1915 October 15, 2018
1947 Truck Loading Racks A black and white reprint of a photograph of parked cars and refinery trucks in the refinery lot. Labeled on bottom right corner "1947 - Loading Racks," penned on the back, "Trucks loading racks 1947 p8 Units." 1947 October 15, 2018
1915 Car in Flood at Wood River Standard Oil Co. Refinery A black and white Albumen print of a car sitting empty in the flooded Standard Oil Refinery Yard, with power lines, holding tanks in foreground, chimney stacks, also known as stills are in the background. The photo is matted on a stiff particle wood frame. Labeled on front bottom right corner "Gotler Photo Wood River, Ill" and written on bottom left side in black ink "8-15-15." On back in black ink "8-15-1915 Flood 4-15-15, 20 tube stills installed" Some water damage on backer board. August 15, 1915 October 15, 2018
1954 Aerial Photograph of Refinery Tanks A black and white aerial photograph of refinery tanks and stills along railroad track, with some homes in background. Top right corner labeled "MARCH 1954". Written on the back in blue ink, "#3043- 3-6-34" and underneath in black ink, "1954 Aerial View P-2 Units" March 1954 October 15, 2018
1957 Alton Industry Expostion Standard Oil Display Booth This is a black and white photograph of the Alton Industrial Exhibition booth celebrating Standard Oil's 50th Anniversary. A table is on display and set up with Standard Oil cans, two glass globes from the top of crown logo gas pumps, tires and an image of a man at an old oil field pump at the center. A banner at the top middle of the display reads "WOODRIVER REFINERY 1907-1957 50 Golden Years Standard Oil Co." The bottom right of the image is labeled with the photographer logo "Greater ALTON INDUSTRIAL and TRADE EXPOSITION 1957 Gravemann PHOTO". On the back of the image is the logo "Professional Photography Gravemann Studio 911 Miltan Rd. Alton, Ill." 1957 October 24, 2018
1908 Wood River and Railroad Tracks This is a black and white photograph of railroad tracks in the foreground and sparce houses along the road with a sign for "Wood River" along it. The bottom right corner is labeled as part of the photograph "COPYRIGHTED 1908 BY STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF INDIANA" On back, the image is stamped by "Photo Art Shop Movies Cameras Supplies Wood River, Ill" and stamped by "Wood River Public Library." 1908 October 24, 2018
1914 Parking Lot North Entrance Photograph This is a black and white photograph of the North Entrance parking lot. The road is visible in the foreground and a row of cars and motorcycles are visible alongside a building in the background. The bottom middle of the image is labeled "1914 - Parking Lot at North Entrance". The back of the image is labeled in pencil "Parking lot at North Entrance 1914." The top right corner of the image is torn and missing. 1914 October 24, 2018
Paper Print of Power Station Operators at Standard Oil This is a black and white photograph printed on cardstock. The bottom of the image is labeled "Power Station Operators: From left - John Bacheldor, Charles Davidson, Robert Hartman, Tim McCarthy, Art Proctor." Circa 1950 October 24, 2018