CARLYLE — An iconic redwood water tank can be seen on display in Carlyle.
The first redwood water tank was built in 1892 by Black, Sivalls & Bryson (BS & B) to be used in the Pennsylvania oil fields. This was not the only place these large tanks were used. They were also placed on top of tall buildings in New York to allow upper levels to have water.
These tanks measured 16 feet across and eight feet deep. They worked on gravity to ensure that everyone on the top floors had water, as often the water from below could not reach higher levels.
BS & B’s capabilities rapidly expanded into the engineering and construction of metal tanks, separators and other leading oil and gas processing equipment. In 1927, they began to market their equipment in Western Canada.
The redwood water tank in the photo was located northwest of Alida, where it was used as a pop tank for the treater. Woodland Development Corp took the idle tank and placed it by their shop in Carlyle, where it will be on display.
A plaque will be mounted on the tank, and it will read, “BS & B started manufacturing wooden tanks for the oil industry in 1892 in Pennsylvania. They opened their first plant in Canada in 1939 at Hartnell, Alberta. This tank was likely constructed in the mid to late 1950s and was located at 8-23-6-1W2M northwest of Alida. It appears as though it was in use until 2002 as a pop tank for the treater. Few of these tanks remain intact in Southeast Saskatchewan today, so Woodland decided to move it into Carlyle to preserve it for the public to see.”
Bartolf retirement
Dennis Bartolf worked for Woodland Development Corp as an asset integrity and measurements supervisor, and he was excited to have the rare tank at his job. He said that anyone can see it.
Bartolf began his career in the oil industry in August 1975. He began as a battery operator near Oxbow and over the years, he worked for Ashland Oil, Kaiser Oil, Musketeer Energy, Dome Petroleum and Amoco as a battery operator.
He then moved to Encor Energy as a maintenance foreman and did the same for Crescent Point. Bartolf later worked for Vermillion Energy as their maintenance planner and then for Woodland Development Corp.
This company is new and only began in 2022, beginning in Calgary and now has an office in Carlyle. On Aug. 9, he retired after 50 years in the oil business.
Bartolf said that over the years, there have always been lots of learning and many changes. The people he has worked with have become friends and family and he is grateful for his career. “I love to mentor people,” he said.
Although this chapter in his life is closing, he has lots of plans in place to stay busy. “It will be a little of a culture shock not having to go to work,” said Bartolf.
