The Golden Driller – Tulsa, Oklahoma The Golden Driller is one of Tulsa’s most iconic landmarks—a massive 76-foot-tall statue that pays tribute to the city’s oil industry roots. It was first put up in the 1950s for a big oil expo, and people loved it so much that it was made permanent in 1966.He’s got one hand resting on an actual oil derrick, and you’ll find him standing outside the Expo Center. In 1979, he was even named Oklahoma’s official state monument. Over the years, he’s been dressed up a few times for events—like when he wore a giant “Tesla” belt buckle during Tulsa’s pitch for a Tesla factory. He’s a quirky, larger-than-life symbol of Tulsa’s history and pride.