It’s June 1986 and there’s a lot of excitement about rescuing a Flathead oil rig for display at the Weigh Scales site in Fernie.

The project is gathering momentum with help from David Yager and BC Heritage trust, Shell Oil, and architect and project co-coordinator Eileen Fletcher
Ms. Fletcher comments, “The rig will create a landmark for Fernie, an anchor for identifying the city. It is a good step in the right direction toward making Fernie a destination for tourists”.

Ms. Fletcher is working with the many interested parties, Shell Oil, The Heritage Trust, BC Lotteries fund, the City of Fernie, MLA Terry Segarty and Fernie City Council.

Move forward to April 2007; excitement abounds again regarding the same rig, this time tempers are high over removal and replacement with, “A more appropriate Fernie related tourism piece”.

This display hasn’t been formulated yet but then Chamber president Evelyn Cutts says, “the goal is to develop a new display in its place which will attract visitors by compelling them to stop at the Visitor Centre”.

What’s happened in two decades to bring about such opposing scenarios? Precisely nothing, and that’s the problem.

When Akamina #2 was constructed with help from private, federal, provincial and local government, it was assumed ownership would provide upkeep. This didn’t occur on a regular basis and in 2007 the site with strong historical roots sat in disarray, with an ugly chain link fence surrounding the wood structure and its original metal components. Tall weeds and grasses obstruct the artifacts and no real sign explaining what it is.

This was a scene that wasn’t appreciated by the chamber manager of the day and who was to blame her, it was indeed a sorry sight to behold.

But removal of the entire historical artifact wasn’t something I could envision. So armed with information from the curator of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa where several components of the rig are on perpetual loan and where a lot of information lies in regards to this oil derrick, a nonprofit society was formed to rehabilitate the site.

That Museum curator commented that this history was of great significance in the development of Western Canada adding that as a community, we should be very proud of this fact and do everything possible to preserve the derrick because History belongs to tomorrow’s generations. We will never know who we are unless we know where we came from.
Many citizens agreed, a petition to save the oil derrick was taken out with hundreds of signatures and society members worked diligently to make marked improvements to the site.

As a member of this society I was able to work on the fundraising part of this project and was successful enough to procure thirty thousand dollars as well as in kind donation and thanks to our volunteers the wire fence was removed, the wood structure was inspected by an engineer and parts of the derrick were secured, new railing and steps built, metal components were painted and displayed on a concrete base, landscaping was improved and new signage providing history of the derrick was installed.

The Free Press issues of July 18 – 22, 1986 state “A study by W.W. Boberg of Casper, Wyoming, says that oil seeps in the Flathead region had long been used by the local Indians for medical purposes. The seepage was rich in paraffin and served the same purposes as modern Vaseline, not only for themselves but for saddle galls on their horses. Trappers, travelers and farmers also used the oil seeps for medicinal and lubricating needs.”

According to Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. Calgary, Alberta, seeps on the BC-Alberta border were reported in 1874. Gunny sacks would be dipped into seeps, squeezed into containers and used as lamp fuel.

In 1892, the director general of Geological Survey of Canada came to confirm existence of seeps. This caused claim staking and drilling in BC and the US beginning in 1901 on unusually difficult ground.

Roads, bridges and rigs were built from native timber. The rough terrain proved difficult to overcome taking so long that some holes were never completed but at Akamina Creek, four miles north of the 49th parallel a quantity of dark green oil was found.

The search for oil leads brought people into the area; coal was discovered resulting in the Fernie townsite.

The structure that stands today is a perfect replica of the Akamina but the steel parts of the oil rig are original from Akamina #1 and 2 making this an authentic artifact and the only one standing in British Columbia.

Our society still keeps making improvements, Alex Millar has taken on maintenance making sure that spotlights are on and the Canadian flag is flying on the top of the derrick as well as applying for grants. This spring we were fortunate to acquire three grants totaling $6500 to place a concrete floor underneath the derrick to prevent weed infestation and also to provide a better walkway.

We want to thank RCR and Matt Mosteller, CBT community grants from the City of Fernie and from Area A Director Mike Sosnowski and his APC group in making these improvements.

This oil derrick rig has been a landmark on Highway #3 leading into Fernie for nearly four decades. And as Mrs. Fletcher noted has become a tourist attraction and something that is part of Fernie’s landscape and an important part of our history.

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