Wilbern, IL: Abandoned Pipeline Steam Pumping Station

Satellite

Roger Holmes posted
I love shooting photos with a late afternoon sun. It casts a golden glow on subjects such as this BNSF eastbound going past the old pumping station for the Standard Oil pipeline at Wilburn (or is it Wilbern? I've seen it spelled both ways) Illinois on November 27, 2009. © Roger A. Holmes.

Note that for some of these towns, these pumping stations were the only industry. You can tell they were a source of pride because they have not removed the tall smokestacks.

1907 Post Card of Wilburn Illinois from GenealogyTrails
Donated by Sharon Kopina
This is a view looking down into the village of Wilburn.  Behind the photographer are hills and cliffs with the creek running in front of the hills.  You can see the oil pumping station in the distance. Beyond the station is the creek  and the Santa Fe Railroad. -- Nancy Piper

Roger Holmes posted
An eastbound BNSF freight with the old Standard Oil Pipeline pumping station at Wilburn, IL on February 22, 2008. © Roger A. Holmes.

Howard Keil posted
Wilburn IL Abandoned Pipeline Pumping Statioin

Postcard from GenealogyTrails
Standard Oil Pumping Station

During the early 1900's an oil pumping station was built in Wilburn which was used until at least until the 1930's.  

"Not far from the track of the railroad the Standard Oil Company has laid a pipe line the past year, to carry oil from the Kansas oil fields to their refineries in Whiting, Indiana.  They have also established a pumping station in the township and are erecting buildings and installing machinery to the amount of forty or fifty thousand dollars so that the taxes assessed against it will materially lesson the taxation of the farmers".  --Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam County, Illinois, 1907, Page 51-52