Welcome to the Golden Driller
Standing 76 feet tall at the Tulsa Expo Center, the Golden Driller is impossible to miss and impossible to forget. Bare-chested, golden-mustard, his right hand resting casually on a real Oklahoma oil derrick, belt buckle reading “TULSA” in letters as big as a car — this giant roughneck has been Tulsa’s most photographed landmark since the day he arrived in 1966 and the official state monument of Oklahoma since 1979. He is one of the tallest freestanding statues in the United States, a shrine to the petroleum industry that made Tulsa the self-proclaimed “Oil Capital of the World,” and a beloved piece of roadside Americana on the route of Historic Route 66. For anyone traveling Route 66 across Oklahoma, a stop in Tulsa without a visit to the Golden Driller would be like a visit to the Grand Canyon without looking down.
Where Is the Golden Driller?
The Golden Driller stands at 21st Street and South Pittsburg Avenue at the Tulsa Expo Center (Tulsa County Fairgrounds) in Tulsa, Oklahoma — on the north side of East 21st Street, between Harvard and Yale Avenues. From Interstate 244, take either Exit 9 or Exit 10 and drive south to East 21st Street, then turn east (from Exit 9) or west (from Exit 10). The statue is in front of the SageNet Center on the Tulsa Fairgrounds grounds and is visible from a considerable distance. It is accessible year-round and admission is completely free.
Tulsa sits near the middle of Route 66’s Oklahoma corridor, which spans over 400 miles across the state. The city is a natural hub for Route 66 exploration in northeastern Oklahoma — combining the Golden Driller with Tulsa’s other Route 66 attractions makes for an exceptionally rich day on the Mother Road.
The History of the Golden Driller
Tulsa: The Oil Capital of the World
To understand the Golden Driller, you first need to understand what Tulsa was. In the early 20th century, following the discovery of oil at Red Fork in 1901 and a succession of increasingly massive fields throughout northeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa became one of the wealthiest cities in the United States — the administrative and financial capital of the American petroleum industry. Oil companies, oilfield equipment manufacturers, and the ancillary businesses that served them clustered in Tulsa in numbers that rivaled any industrial city in the country. The city called itself, without any false modesty, the “Oil Capital of the World.” Drilling derricks appeared on the lawns of the state capitol in Oklahoma City. In Tulsa, oil made everything: the architecture, the culture, the wealth, and, eventually, the Golden Driller.
The International Petroleum Exposition: 1923–1979
In 1923, Tulsa independent oil producer William Skelly — serving as president of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce — established the International Petroleum Exposition and Congress at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. The IPE quickly became the world’s premier trade show for the oil and gas equipment industry, drawing manufacturers, engineers, oilfield workers, and buyers from across the United States and internationally. For decades, the IPE was held at the Tulsa fairgrounds, transforming the grounds into a showcase of the petroleum industry’s latest innovations.
The First Golden Driller: 1953
The Mid-Continent Supply Company of Fort Worth, Texas — a major oilfield supply firm — conceived the Golden Driller as a promotional feature for the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. The original statue was a temporary construction: a broad-grinned roughneck in a tin helmet tipped at a rakish angle, right hand raised in a kind of relaxed Oklahoma “OK” sign. He was instantly and enormously popular. Visitors to the IPE were captivated by the sheer scale and personality of the figure, and the statue became the most talked-about feature of the entire exposition.
The 1959 Return: The Roustabout
Due to the original Golden Driller’s reception, Mid-Continent Supply Company built a second, different statue for the 1959 International Petroleum Exposition. This version — nicknamed the Roustabout — was more dynamic and dramatic than its predecessor: the figure was depicted climbing a derrick with one hand and waving jauntily with the other. He was “much more chiseled and detailed,” as one Tulsa Historical Society volunteer later described, and his popularity at the 1959 show was even greater than the first version’s had been. When the exposition ended, Mid-Continent Supply donated this second statue to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds Trust Authority, setting the stage for what would come next.
The Permanent Golden Driller: April 8, 1966
For the 1966 International Petroleum Exposition, Mid-Continent Supply Company commissioned a third and final Golden Driller — the tallest yet, the most anatomically refined, and the one intended from the beginning to be permanent. This version was designed by George S. “Grecco” Hondronastas (1893–1979), a Greek immigrant to Tulsa and a remarkable figure in his own right. Hondronastas had first come to Tulsa in 1953 to help design the original statue, fell in love with the city, and ultimately moved his wife and son from Chicago to Tulsa permanently. He had attended the Art Institute of Chicago, became a professor, and created business promotions, parade floats, and theatrical props throughout his career. He viewed the permanent Golden Driller as his greatest artistic achievement — and told everyone he met so, with characteristic enthusiasm.
The permanent statue was officially unveiled on April 8, 1966. It stands 76 feet tall, weighs 43,500 pounds (approximately 22 tons), and is constructed of a steel frame with 2.5 miles of steel rods and mesh covered in concrete and plaster. Each foot alone weighs approximately one ton. The right hand rests on a real production oil derrick moved from a depleted oil field near Seminole, Oklahoma — not a replica, but an actual piece of working petroleum history transplanted to Tulsa for the installation.
The Man Behind the Giant: John Franklin Stephens Jr.
One of the most compelling stories surrounding the Golden Driller is the identity of the man it depicts. The permanent 1966 statue was modeled on a real person: John Franklin Stephens Jr., a 29-year-old Navy veteran, rodeo competitor, and construction superintendent from Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Stephens was working for Dallas Meade Constructors as the project superintendent for the Golden Driller’s construction when artist Hondronastas unexpectedly recruited him as a model.
As Stephens later recalled, he was called into the company owner’s office one day, wearing his hard hat and boots, and was asked to stand next to a small oil rig replica while two artists — Hondronastas and another who went only by “Adrian” — began sketching him. He had no idea he was becoming the physical basis for what would eventually be Oklahoma’s official state monument. “He was chiseled at 29,” his son Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, a former Oklahoma state senator, later said. A Navy veteran and lifelong rodeo man, John Stephens embodied exactly the physical archetype Hondronastas was seeking — strong, self-reliant, rooted in Oklahoma’s working culture. John Stephens was not just the Driller’s model but also the superintendent who supervised every stage of the statue’s construction from inception to completion.
For most of his life, Stephens rarely mentioned his unique connection to Tulsa’s most famous landmark, accepting recognition only reluctantly. He was finally honored publicly at both the Oklahoma State Senate and House chambers, and Tulsa County declared January 30, 2023 as John Franklin Stephens Jr. Day in recognition of his contribution. John Stephens passed away on September 24, 2024, at the age of 88, survived by his family and by the 76-foot monument in Tulsa that wears his face.
The Golden Driller: By the Numbers
The Golden Driller’s vital statistics are as outsized as the statue itself. At 76 feet tall and 43,500 pounds, he is one of the tallest freestanding statues in the United States. His unofficial “vital statistics,” as catalogued by Tulsa enthusiasts over the years, include a belt size of 48 feet in circumference, a shoe size of 393DDD, and a hard hat size of 112. The belt buckle originally read “MID-CONTINENT” (after his creator, the Mid-Continent Supply Company) but was changed to “TULSA” in 1979 when the Oklahoma Legislature adopted the statue as the official state monument.
The statue’s construction is designed for Oklahoma’s extreme weather: it is built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour, more than sufficient for even the most powerful tornadoes. In 2011, the statue received a thorough structural inspection — which found it to be in excellent condition — and was coated with a new layer of its distinctive mustard-gold paint that its suppliers stated would last 100 years. The statue contains 2.5 miles of steel rods and mesh, with tons of plaster and concrete layered over the framework.
Oklahoma’s Official State Monument
By the mid-1970s, the Golden Driller was in serious trouble. Mid-Continent Supply Company, the Texas firm that had built and donated the statue, declined to fund a $50,000 repair bill that the deteriorating structure required in 1976. The statue was suffering from years of neglect and had become the target of vandalism, including bullet holes that had damaged its surface. Demolition was being discussed as a serious possibility.
Tulsa rallied. A community-wide campaign raised the repair funds, and the city adopted the Golden Driller. In 1979, the Oklahoma Legislature formally designated the Golden Driller as the official state monument of Oklahoma — a decision that was, at the time, not universally embraced. Many Oklahomans viewed the bare-chested statue as an artistic eyesore. Some advocated covering his chest with a shirt, an idea that was quickly defeated by the protests of actual oilfield workers — including John Franklin Stephens Jr. himself, who felt that covering the Driller would undermine the statue’s honest tribute to the men who worked the Oklahoma oil fields in all weathers, shirtless and hard-hatted, through conditions that were both grueling and genuinely dangerous.
The plaque at the Golden Driller’s base encapsulates the monument’s purpose in language that rewards reading carefully: “The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God’s abundance a better life for mankind.” The inscription was written by W.K. Warren, president of the IPE, who called the Driller “a symbol of the free man whose vision, daring and hard work have unleashed and harnessed sources of energy that have permitted man to conquer space and time.”
The Golden Driller in Popular Culture
Dressing the Giant: T-Shirts, Beads, and a COVID Mask
Over the decades, Tulsa has developed a tradition of periodically “dressing” the Golden Driller in oversized custom clothing and accessories to mark special occasions, promote events, and celebrate local culture. Custom canvas and fabric specialists have outfitted the statue in giant T-shirts for sports promotions, strung oversized Mardi Gras beads around his neck, and fitted him with massive neckties and belts for various events. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a giant face mask was fitted to the Driller’s face. Oklahoma Custom Canvas Products has dressed the Golden Driller more than 26 times since 1997, crafting weather-resistant materials at the scale required for a 76-foot figure.
The Tesla Bid: When the Driller Became Elon Musk
In May 2020, Tulsa made an audacious bid to win Tesla’s Gigafactory 5 manufacturing facility, competing against several other cities for what would have been a major economic prize. As part of the campaign, the Golden Driller was temporarily transformed: the “TULSA” on his belt buckle was replaced with “TESLA,” and — in what was described as the first time wrap advertising had been applied to the statue’s face — his features were painted to resemble Elon Musk. The gambit generated enormous national media attention and social media engagement. It did not, ultimately, win the Gigafactory — which was built in Austin, Texas — and the Golden Driller was promptly restored to his stern, no-nonsense original appearance.
Named a Top Quirky Destination
In October 2006, the Golden Driller was named the grand prize winner in an online promotional contest sponsored by Kimberly-Clark, recognized as one of the top ten “quirkiest destinations” in the United States. The recognition — awarded alongside a $90,000 international vacation for the contest winner who nominated the Driller — speaks to the statue’s remarkable national profile as a piece of American roadside culture that transcends its regional context. Tulsa’s giant roughneck has been featured in travel publications, road trip guides, and Route 66 documentaries around the world.
Visiting the Golden Driller: What to Know
The Experience Up Close
Standing at the base of the Golden Driller is a genuinely startling experience. The statue fills the foreground completely; its boots alone tower above a standing adult, and looking up at the full 76-foot figure from ground level produces that particular vertiginous thrill that only truly large roadside monuments deliver. The perspective is both steep and surprising — a view that most visitors cannot capture fully in a single photograph. The real oil derrick on which the Driller’s right hand rests adds an unexpected element of authenticity to the encounter: this is not a prop but an actual piece of working Oklahoma petroleum infrastructure.
The Golden Driller Plaza
In September 2021, a newly renovated Golden Driller Plaza was dedicated at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, creating an improved gathering and photo space at the base of the monument. The plaza provides better access for visitors, improved sightlines for photography, and a more intentional setting for what has always been Tulsa’s most popular outdoor photo opportunity. In summer months, a snow cone stand typically operates near the statue’s feet — a small but perfect expression of Tulsa’s relationship with its most famous resident.
Photography Tips
The Golden Driller is at its most photogenic in the morning, when the eastern light falls directly on the golden-mustard surface of the statue. Given the statue’s height and the limited space between the figure and the parking lot, getting the full statue in a single frame requires either a wide-angle lens or backing up to the far side of the parking area. Some of the most striking images are taken from directly below the statue, looking up at the figure against the Oklahoma sky. The real oil derrick and the boots are particularly evocative details for close-up shots. Evening light from the west also produces dramatic shadows and highlights on the statue’s sculpted surface.
Nearby Route 66 Attractions in Tulsa
The Golden Driller is just one reason to spend time exploring Tulsa on Route 66. The city’s Route 66 corridor along 11th Street is one of the richest stretches of preserved Mother Road culture in Oklahoma, with neon signs, vintage motels, classic diners, and architectural landmarks that evoke the highway’s golden era. Among the nearby highlights:
- Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 — A beloved Route 66 gift shop on 11th Street fronted by its own giant Muffler Man, Buck Atom the Space Cowboy, one of Tulsa’s most photographed Route 66 figures.
- Meadow Gold Sign — A restored 1930s neon sign on East 11th Street, one of the most beautiful surviving pieces of mid-century roadside signage in Oklahoma.
- Blue Dome Building — A former 1920s Gulf Oil station at 2nd and Elgin, now surrounded by Tulsa’s most vibrant restaurant and nightlife district.
- Admiral Twin Drive-In — A classic 1951 drive-in theater still operating today, famous among Route 66 travelers and film fans for its appearance in the film The Outsiders.
- Boston Avenue Methodist Church — A stunning example of Art Deco architecture and a National Historic Landmark, testament to the wealth that Oklahoma oil generated in Tulsa.
Continuing Your Route 66 Journey from Tulsa
Tulsa serves as a gateway to both northeastern and central Oklahoma’s rich Route 66 heritage. East of Tulsa, the highway passes through Sapulpa, Oklahoma — home of a beautiful restored Phillips 66 filling station and a strong Route 66 preservation community — and on toward the northeast corner of the state. West of Tulsa, Route 66 leads toward Oklahoma City, where stops include the quirky Milk Bottle Grocery and the Lake Overholser Bridge, and then to the Round Barn in Arcadia — one of Route 66’s most beloved architectural landmarks. Further west, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton offers one of the finest Route 66 museum experiences in the entire country.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Golden Driller
- Address: East 21st Street & South Pittsburg Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tulsa County Fairgrounds / Tulsa Expo Center)
- Admission: Free. The Golden Driller is an outdoor public monument accessible year-round.
- Hours: Accessible at all times. Note that access to the immediate plaza area may occasionally be restricted during fairground events, particularly during the Tulsa State Fair (typically held in late September–early October).
- Getting there from I-244: Take Exit 9 or Exit 10, drive south to East 21st Street, then turn east (from Exit 9) or west (from Exit 10). The statue is clearly visible on the north side of East 21st Street.
- Parking: Free parking is available in the Tulsa Fairgrounds lot adjacent to the statue. Parking may be limited or require a fee during major fairground events.
- Best time to visit: Any time of year. The statue is equally striking in winter bare light and summer sunshine. Morning light from the east creates the most flattering conditions for photography.
- State Fair visit: The Tulsa State Fair is held annually at the Expo Center grounds and provides an opportunity to see the Golden Driller in the context of the fairgrounds at their most festive. Event schedules at the fairgrounds also include the Chili Bowl (January), horse shows, craft events, and more year-round.
- Nearby food: The Golden Driller is within a short drive of Tulsa’s Route 66 restaurant corridor along 11th Street, with numerous dining options ranging from classic diners to modern Tulsa restaurants. In summer, a snow cone stand typically operates at the statue’s feet.
- Accessibility: The Golden Driller Plaza is accessible. Contact the Tulsa County Fairgrounds for specific accessibility information regarding parking and plaza access during events.
Climate and the Best Time to Visit Tulsa
Tulsa has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor sightseeing, with mild temperatures and lower humidity. Summer visits are perfectly manageable but can be hot and humid — morning visits are recommended for photography and comfort. Tulsa falls within the southern edge of Tornado Alley; spring weather can be severe, and travelers should always check weather forecasts during tornado season. Winter visits are generally mild and crowd-free, with pleasant conditions for an uncrowded Golden Driller experience.
Final Thoughts: Why the Golden Driller Matters
The Golden Driller is many things at once. It is an act of industrial pride from an era when Tulsa’s oil wealth made it one of the great cities of the American economy. It is the artistic achievement of a Greek immigrant who fell in love with Oklahoma and spent the rest of his career making it his home. It is the physical likeness of a Sapulpa cowboy and Navy veteran who didn’t know he was being sketched until the artist asked him to pose. It is the official monument of a state that once had drilling derricks on its capitol lawn. And it is one of the most photographed pieces of roadside Americana anywhere on the Mother Road.
Standing at the feet of the Golden Driller and looking up at those 76 feet of steel, concrete, and history, you get a sense of what Tulsa once was — and what it is still proud of being. The oil industry made Oklahoma, and the Golden Driller made sure Oklahoma would never forget it. He has outlasted the manufacturer who built him, the exposition that first showcased him, and the supply company that donated him. He has been neglected, repaired, vandalized, dressed up, temporarily transformed into a tech mogul, and painted back to his original stoic expression. Through all of it, he has stood at 21st and Pittsburg in Tulsa, his right hand on a real Oklahoma derrick, belt buckle reading TULSA, looking exactly like a man who is not going anywhere.
Nearby Route 66 Highlights
- Tulsa, Oklahoma on Route 66 — The complete guide to Tulsa’s Route 66 corridor, neon signs, diners, and landmarks.
- Sapulpa, Oklahoma on Route 66 — A beautifully preserved Route 66 town just southwest of Tulsa with a restored Phillips 66 station and strong Mother Road heritage.
- Oklahoma City on Route 66 — The Milk Bottle Grocery, Lake Overholser Bridge, and the NW 39th Street alignment of the Mother Road.
- Round Barn, Arcadia, Oklahoma — One of Route 66’s most beloved architectural landmarks, just east of Oklahoma City.
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton — One of the finest Route 66 museums in the country, with decade-by-decade exhibits on the Mother Road.
- Route 66 in Oklahoma — Complete Guide — Everything you need to plan your journey through Oklahoma’s 400+ miles of the Mother Road.
- Route 66 — The Complete Guide — Your starting point for planning a Route 66 road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica.
