Sublunar Photography

The Gulf Oil Pumping Station was constructed here in 1931 as part of a crude oil pipeline that stretched from Texas up to the North East.

This facility employed seven full time employees ranging from engineers to telegraph operators. The engineers were responsible for monitoring the oil levels and pressure and maintaining the several large 50 ton, 3-cylinder Diesel engines that powered the pump station. These engines were approximately 12 feet tall and used some of the same oil that they pumped through the lines.

There are three large storage tanks on site to store the oil which came through the lines. These tanks were built with a moat around them in the event of a spill so as to minimize damage to the surrounding area.

This facility operated well into the 60's and was shut down in the late 60's or early 70's. It has been abandoned since. Anyone who gets close to the tanks can still detect the smell of the oil they once contained. Unfortunately, nothing remains of the large engines, nor the station itself except a twisted steel frame and the crumbling brick walls.

I have not been able to determine with certainty was this place was originally. I suspect it was an incinerator, based on the large hoppers and dual stacks (as compared to another known Incinerator). But this is a guess. Currently, and as it seems to have been the case for the past several years, it was used a rubber scrap facility. Property databases generically refer to it as "Former Industrial Site".

"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a global altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the British Oddfellows service organizations of the 17th century. The Order is also known as "The Three Link Fraternity", referring to the Order's "Triple Links" logo - three links contain the letters F, L and T, (Friendship, Love and Truth). Odd Fellowship became the first fraternity in the U.S. to include both men and women when it adopted the "Beautiful Rebekah Degree" on September 20, 1851. This degree is based on teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were also the first U.S. fraternal organizations to establish homes for senior members and for orphaned children."

"As an organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development. Lodge degrees and activities aim to improve and elevate every person to a higher, nobler plane; to extend sympathy and aid to those in need, making their burdens lighter, relieving the darkness of despair; to war against vice in every form, and to be a great moral power and influence for the good of humanity. Teachings in the Order are conducted through the exemplification of the Degrees of membership. The Degrees are conferred on the candidate by their Lodge, and are teachings of principles and truths by ceremonies and symbols. The Degrees are presented largely by means of allegory and drama. For Odd Fellows, the degrees in Odd Fellowship emphasizes a leaving of the old life and the start of a better one, of welcoming travelers, and of helping those in need. Lodges also provide an international social network of brothers and sisters that extends to more than 26 countries worldwide. If traveling is an interest, membership can provide a valuable network that will very much welcome an international visitor, and assist in their enterprises, and certainly their travels wherever possible. The command of the IOOF is to 'visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.'". - Wikipedia

This lodge was chartered in 1854 and the building was erected for them in 1925.