The history of the state of Oklahoma is inextricably linked with the remarkable history of the oil industry. The individuals identified here are true Oklahoma Oil Pioneers whose work laid the groundwork for the oil and gas industry in a young state. Their stories are not only inspirational, but serve as testaments to the extraordinary opportunities the early oil industry provided for individual achievements and public good. Although these individuals are now deceased, their stories of hard work, foresight, courage and accomplishment against overwhelming odds speak to generations of Americans. Thanks to University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren, Museum Director Michael Mares and Vice President for University Development David L. Maloney, this plaza reflects the museums mission of celebrating Oklahoma’s history. So whether you’re enjoying lunch outside the cafe, pausing for a quick photo or strolling through our gardens, take a moment to reflect upon the beautiful Conoco Oil Pioneers of Oklahoma Plaza and the people who inspired it.
![Jack H. Abernathy (1911-1996)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/abernathy.jpg)
![Jack H. Abernathy (1911-1996)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/abernathy.jpg)
Jack H. Abernathy (1911-1996)
![Lew H. Wentz (1881-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/wentz.jpg)
![Lew H. Wentz (1881-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/wentz.jpg)
Lew H. Wentz (1881-1949)
![William K. Warren (1897-1990)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/warren.jpg)
![William K. Warren (1897-1990)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/warren.jpg)
William K. Warren (1897-1990)
![Joseph A. Taff (1862-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taff.jpg)
![Joseph A. Taff (1862-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taff.jpg)
Joseph A. Taff (1862-1944)
![Herbert R. Straight (1874-1963)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/straight.jpg)
![Herbert R. Straight (1874-1963)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/straight.jpg)
Herbert R. Straight (1874-1963)
![Tom B. Slick (1883-1930)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/slick.jpg)
![Tom B. Slick (1883-1930)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/slick.jpg)
Tom B. Slick (1883-1930)
![William G. Skelly (1878-1957)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/skelly.jpg)
![William G. Skelly (1878-1957)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/skelly.jpg)
William G. Skelly (1878-1957)
![Harry F. Sinclair (1876-1956)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sinclair.jpg)
![Harry F. Sinclair (1876-1956)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sinclair.jpg)
Harry F. Sinclair (1876-1956)
![S. J. Sarkeys (1874-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sarkeys.jpg)
![S. J. Sarkeys (1874-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sarkeys.jpg)
S. J. Sarkeys (1874-1965)
![Walter R. Ramsey (1885-1947)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ramsey.jpg)
![Walter R. Ramsey (1885-1947)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ramsey.jpg)
Walter R. Ramsey (1885-1947)
![Lev H. Prichard (1883-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/prichard.jpg)
![Lev H. Prichard (1883-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/prichard.jpg)
Lev H. Prichard (1883-1949)
![Waite Phillips (1883-1964)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_w.jpg)
![Waite Phillips (1883-1964)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_w.jpg)
Waite Phillips (1883-1964)
![Lee E. Phillips (1876-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_l.jpg)
![Lee E. Phillips (1876-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_l.jpg)
Lee E. Phillips (1876-1944)
![Frank Phillips (1873-1950)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_f.jpg)
![Frank Phillips (1873-1950)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/phillips_f.jpg)
Frank Phillips (1873-1950)
![William T. Payne (1892-1981)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/payne.jpg)
![William T. Payne (1892-1981)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/payne.jpg)
William T. Payne (1892-1981)
![William Osborn, Sr. (1893-1958)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/osborn_sr.jpg)
![William Osborn, Sr. (1893-1958)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/osborn_sr.jpg)
William Osborn, Sr. (1893-1958)
![Lloyd Noble (1896-1950)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/noble.jpg)
![Lloyd Noble (1896-1950)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/noble.jpg)
Lloyd Noble (1896-1950)
![Daniel J. Moran (1888-1948)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/moran.jpg)
![Daniel J. Moran (1888-1948)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/moran.jpg)
Daniel J. Moran (1888-1948)
![Victor E. Monnett (1889-1972)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/monnett.jpg)
![Victor E. Monnett (1889-1972)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/monnett.jpg)
Victor E. Monnett (1889-1972)
![Hugh D. Miser (1884-1969)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/miser.jpg)
![Hugh D. Miser (1884-1969)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/miser.jpg)
Hugh D. Miser (1884-1969)
![Ward S. Merrick (1895-1978)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/merrick.jpg)
![Ward S. Merrick (1895-1978)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/merrick.jpg)
Ward S. Merrick (1895-1978)
![Dean A. McGee (1904-1989)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mcgee.jpg)
![Dean A. McGee (1904-1989)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mcgee.jpg)
Dean A. McGee (1904-1989)
![Robert McFarlin (1866-1942)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mcfarlin.jpg)
![Robert McFarlin (1866-1942)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mcfarlin.jpg)
Robert McFarlin (1866-1942)
![Thomas H. McCasland (1895-1979)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mccasland.jpg)
![Thomas H. McCasland (1895-1979)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mccasland.jpg)
Thomas H. McCasland (1895-1979)
![Ernest W. Marland (1874-1941)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/marland.jpg)
![Ernest W. Marland (1874-1941)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/marland.jpg)
Ernest W. Marland (1874-1941)
![John E. Mabee (1879-1961)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mabee.jpg)
![John E. Mabee (1879-1961)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mabee.jpg)
John E. Mabee (1879-1961)
![Arville I. Levorsen (1894-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/levorson.jpg)
![Arville I. Levorsen (1894-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/levorson.jpg)
Arville I. Levorsen (1894-1965)
![Philip C. Lauinger (1900-1988)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/lauinger.jpg)
![Philip C. Lauinger (1900-1988)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/lauinger.jpg)
Philip C. Lauinger (1900-1988)
![James Kessler (1890-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kessler.jpg)
![James Kessler (1890-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kessler.jpg)
James Kessler (1890-1971)
![Robert S. Kerr (1896-1963)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kerr.jpg)
![Robert S. Kerr (1896-1963)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kerr.jpg)
Robert S. Kerr (1896-1963)
![William W. Keeler (1908-1987)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/keeler.jpg)
![William W. Keeler (1908-1987)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/keeler.jpg)
William W. Keeler (1908-1987)
![John C. Karcher (1894-1978)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/karcher.jpg)
![John C. Karcher (1894-1978)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/karcher.jpg)
John C. Karcher (1894-1978)
![Frank J. Hinderliter (1875-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hinderliter.jpg)
![Frank J. Hinderliter (1875-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hinderliter.jpg)
Frank J. Hinderliter (1875-1965)
![Chesley C. Herndon (1886-1962)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/herndon.jpg)
![Chesley C. Herndon (1886-1962)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/herndon.jpg)
Chesley C. Herndon (1886-1962)
![Walter H. Helmerich (1895-1981)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/helmrich.jpg)
![Walter H. Helmerich (1895-1981)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/helmrich.jpg)
Walter H. Helmerich (1895-1981)
![Robert Hefner, Sr. (1874-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hefner_sr.jpg)
![Robert Hefner, Sr. (1874-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hefner_sr.jpg)
Robert Hefner, Sr. (1874-1971)
![Robert A. Hefner, Jr. (1907-1987)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hefner_jr.jpg)
![Robert A. Hefner, Jr. (1907-1987)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hefner_jr.jpg)
Robert A. Hefner, Jr. (1907-1987)
![Jess Harris, Sr. (1891-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/harris_sr.jpg)
![Jess Harris, Sr. (1891-1971)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/harris_sr.jpg)
Jess Harris, Sr. (1891-1971)
![Jake L. Hamon (1875-1920)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hamon.jpg)
![Jake L. Hamon (1875-1920)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hamon.jpg)
Jake L. Hamon (1875-1920)
![Erle P. Halliburton (1892-1957)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/halliburton.jpg)
![Erle P. Halliburton (1892-1957)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/halliburton.jpg)
Erle P. Halliburton (1892-1957)
![F. C. Hall (1877-1954)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hall.jpg)
![F. C. Hall (1877-1954)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hall.jpg)
F. C. Hall (1877-1954)
![Roy C. Guffey (1902-1994)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/guffey.jpg)
![Roy C. Guffey (1902-1994)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/guffey.jpg)
Roy C. Guffey (1902-1994)
![Charles N. Gould (1868-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gould.jpg)
![Charles N. Gould (1868-1949)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gould.jpg)
Charles N. Gould (1868-1949)
![Charles B. Goddard (1880-1959)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/goddard.jpg)
![Charles B. Goddard (1880-1959)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/goddard.jpg)
Charles B. Goddard (1880-1959)
![Jean P. Getty (1892-1976)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/getty.jpg)
![Jean P. Getty (1892-1976)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/getty.jpg)
Jean P. Getty (1892-1976)
![Wirt Franklin (1883-1964)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/franklin.jpg)
![Wirt Franklin (1883-1964)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/franklin.jpg)
Wirt Franklin (1883-1964)
![Henry V. Foster (1875-1939)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/foster.jpg)
![Henry V. Foster (1875-1939)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/foster.jpg)
Henry V. Foster (1875-1939)
![George E. Failing (1889-1976)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/failing.jpg)
![George E. Failing (1889-1976)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/failing.jpg)
George E. Failing (1889-1976)
![Everette L. DeGolyer (1886-1956)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/degolyer.jpg)
![Everette L. DeGolyer (1886-1956)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/degolyer.jpg)
Everette L. DeGolyer (1886-1956)
![Joseph I. Cromwell (1873-1946)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cromwell.jpg)
![Joseph I. Cromwell (1873-1946)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cromwell.jpg)
Joseph I. Cromwell (1873-1946)
![John M. Crawford (1910-2000)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/crawford.jpg)
![John M. Crawford (1910-2000)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/crawford.jpg)
John M. Crawford (1910-2000)
![James A. Chapman (1881-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chapman.jpg)
![James A. Chapman (1881-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chapman.jpg)
James A. Chapman (1881-1966)
![H. H. Champlin (1867-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/champlin.jpg)
![H. H. Champlin (1867-1944)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/champlin.jpg)
H. H. Champlin (1867-1944)
![George F. Buttram (1886-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/buttram.jpg)
![George F. Buttram (1886-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/buttram.jpg)
George F. Buttram (1886-1966)
![John R. Bunn (1900-1989)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bunn.jpg)
![John R. Bunn (1900-1989)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bunn.jpg)
John R. Bunn (1900-1989)
![Powel Briscoe (1882-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/briscoe.jpg)
![Powel Briscoe (1882-1966)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/briscoe.jpg)
Powel Briscoe (1882-1966)
![Clyde M. Becker (1882-1938)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/becker.jpg)
![Clyde M. Becker (1882-1938)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/becker.jpg)
Clyde M. Becker (1882-1938)
![Theodore N. Barnsdall (1851-1917)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/barnsdall.jpg)
![Theodore N. Barnsdall (1851-1917)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/barnsdall.jpg)
Theodore N. Barnsdall (1851-1917)
![J. Steve Anderson (1885-1961)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anderson_j.jpg)
![J. Steve Anderson (1885-1961)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anderson_j.jpg)
J. Steve Anderson (1885-1961)
![James L. Anderson (1884-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anderson.jpg)
![James L. Anderson (1884-1965)](https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anderson.jpg)