Near Deerwalk in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Wooden Oil Storage Tank

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

1. Wooden Oil Storage Tank Marker

Inscription.
This wooden oil storage tank was rescued from a former Volcano oil field. In the 1860's, oil storage tanks were made of wood and by the 1870's steel riveted tanks were being introduced.

Abraham Burghoff was the principal barrel maker in Volcano. In 1865, before the railroad, he began making 42-gallon barrels with white oak. It is worth noting that some barrels were made with redwood! Redwood is durable, decay resistant and moderately water resistant. The only drawback is its softness. The bottom of the barrel would be drawn with a compass designed for this purpose. The staves were attached to the bottom of the barrel and held together with steel bands. NOTE: a barrel compass used in Volcano is on display in the museum.

Although the introduction of the Laurel Fork and Sand Hill Railroad greatly diminished the need for barrels, they were used throughout the life of the Volcano oil fields.

Erected by The Friends of Mountwood Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 39° 14.599′ N, 81° 18.08′ W. Marker is near Deerwalk, West Virginia, in Wood County. It is on Volcano Road (County Route 5) 0.8 miles south of Northwestern Turnpike

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(U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of the Volcano Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1014 Volcano Road, Walker WV 26180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Women of Volcano (here, next to this marker); Thornhill Mansion (here, next to this marker); Oil Pump (a few steps from this marker); Wheels Of The Endless Cable (a few steps from this marker); The Endless Cable System (a few steps from this marker); Sixteen Horsepower Gas Engine (a few steps from this marker); Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountwood Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deerwalk.

Wooden Oil Storage Tank and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

2. Wooden Oil Storage Tank and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.