The virgin forests of the White Oak region in the early 1860's would be replaced by a forest of derricks when oil was discovered and drilling commenced.
There was no standard size for a derrick but most were 72 feet tall. Our replica is 28 . . . — — Map (db m302408) HM
Engine House Schematic
This schematic is of George West's endless cable system. It was the last system to operate in the Volcano oil fields. It operated through 1972.
The red arrows show the endless cable entering and leaving the . . . — — Map (db m302471) HM
The Laurel Fork & Sand Hill Railroad was started in 1866 and completed in 1869 at a cost of $16,000. It ran from Volcano to Volcano Junction (5 miles). There were four daily trains carrying some passengers and freight, but mostly oil. . . . — — Map (db m306168) HM
Welcome
Mountwood Park's 2,600 acres of public land in Wood County, West Virginia, offer visitors many ways to explore, learn about, and enjoy this park's natural resources and history. Mountwood sits on much of the . . . — — Map (db m302379) HM
This oil pump was used in Volcano, WV at Myers Fork Run circa 1910. It was manufactured by Parmaco, the Parkersburg Machine Company.
Donated by James Hardigg Wood County Petroleum Co. On display of the courtesy Oil & Gas Museum, . . . — — Map (db m302484) HM
This engine was manufactured by the Joseph Reid Company and used in Volcano, WV circa 1920's.
Donated by Hope Gas Company. On display of the courtesy Oil & Gas Museum, Parkersburg. — — Map (db m302486) HM
In 1875, it is probable that this hillside had been cleared of brush and all but a few select trees. Thus W. C. Stiles, Jr. could have stood here surveying many of his business interests and the oil boom town he "fathered."
This panoramic . . . — — Map (db m302358) HM
W. C. Stiles, Jr., the "Father of Volcano," built Thornhill for his family in 1874 at a cost of $60,000. It was built in the form of a Maltese cross with three floors of 25 rooms. Thornhill possessed a commanding view of Volcano and the . . . — — Map (db m302329) HM
The ladies above Effie (left) and Olga (right) Wade posed for this picture in 1922. The step in front of Effie is the bottom step for the front porch. The estate buildings are behind the girls. Note how well the land was cleared. — — Map (db m302328) HM
An act to provide Free Schools for the town of Volcano was passed by the West Virginia Legislature on February 18th, 1871. The first students were taught in the old Volcano Hotel. By August, a two-story school accommodating 150 students was . . . — — Map (db m306376) HM
The smaller bull wheels were donated to the museum by Paul Reese. Paul's family has deep roots in Volcano and he was also a driving force in the birth of Volcano Days. The large band wheel was donated by Haessly Hardwood Lumber Co. of Marietta, . . . — — Map (db m302409) HM
William Cooper Stiles, Jr., born in Philadelphia on July 27, 1839, was one of the earliest operators in the West Virginia and Ohio oil fields.
In 1863 Mr. Stiles invested a considerable sum of money to drill test wells near Fifteen Mile . . . — — Map (db m302352) HM
Women in the early 1900's enjoyed few rights and were seen as weak, unintelligent, and inferior to men. Women were expected to marry, clean the house, and raise children. Married women were considered their husband's property; prior to marriage . . . — — Map (db m302388) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m302469) HM
