Crude oil from the wells could not always be refined and shipped to market as quickly as it could be pumped. In the early days, surplus oil was stored in large wooden or metal tanks such as the ones in this photograph. These tanks provided a simple solution to the storage problem but they were highly dangerous. A maintenance man inspecting a tank with his lantern accidentally started the disastrous fire of August, 1867. Lightning was another potential source of ignition. Once set ablaze, tanks invariably burst and flaming oil quickly spread the fire to adjacent tanks. Following the fire of 1867, John D. Noble developed an underground storage tank which was much safer.
The horse drawn tank wagon seen in this photograph is the forerunner of the tank truck which is used to transport liquids of all kinds today. Tank wagons transported crude oil from the storage tank at the wellhead to the receiving station at the refinery.
