Oil field, pump jacks and a "dawg" near Olney, IL, 1994

Illinois isn't generally thought of as an oil producing state. Yet, if one were to travel through parts of central and southern Illinois, he or she would likely see scenes like this recorded on video. These shots of groups of oil well pump jacks were made on Aug. 17, 1994 along U.S. 50 between Olney and Lawrenceville, IL. The size of the jacks indicates relatively shallow wells, especially that little guy pumping away in the final shots. It's not unusual to also see gas being flared from wells in an Illinois oil field as is the case with one here. Interesting to see how it's simply burned off on the ground with no safety protection for the public other than what appears to be an old paint or coffee can that probably should be replaced (wonder if it ever was indeed replaced after all these years). I even gotta' shot of that "dawg" barking away at my presence on or near his/her territory.