Bartlesville in Washington County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Fire Fighting Cannon

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

1. Fire Fighting Cannon Marker

Inscription. During early oil field development in this area, Bartlesville lay between two of the world's largest tank farms located at Copan and Ramona. Early day oil tank construction allowed vapors to escape through the roof where they could be ignited by lightning. To avoid dangerous boilovers of flaming oils, cannons of this type were used to shoot holes through lower part of tanks to allow oil to flow out into larger areas within the earthen dykes where it would burn harmlessly.

This cannon used in the Burbank Oil Storage Farm, was contributed by Phillips Petroleum Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 36° 45.362′ N, 95° 58.386′ W. Marker is in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in Washington County. It is on North Cherokee Avenue 0.1 miles north of 1st Drive, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the Johnstone Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Cherokee Ave, Bartlesville OK 74003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Cherokee

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Nation

and in Northeast Oklahoma — Green Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Ozarks,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nellie Johnstone No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Coffeyville Refinery (within shouting distance of this marker); Information (within shouting distance of this marker); Hulah Santa Fe Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Low-Water Dam Fueled Local Industry and Recreation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Depression-Era New Deal Programs and Bridge Construction (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bridge Design Included Unique Engineering Features (approx. 0.2 miles away); Building the City of Legends (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bartlesville.

Fire Fighting Cannon and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

2. Fire Fighting Cannon and Marker

The view of the Fire Fighting Cannon and Marker from the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

3. The view of the Fire Fighting Cannon and Marker from the park

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.