The Texas Empire Pipe Line Company
Chalk Level Township
History from Lowry City Centennial Book 1871 - 1971
In 1929, The Texas Empire Pipe Line Company began building the largest
corporation in St. Clair County, four miles southwest of Lowry City, Mo. It
pumped crude oil through a twelve-inch all-steel welded line. It was the
first welded line from Cushing, OK to East Chicago, IL.
The station consisted of four modern residences and garages, two large water
towers, two large steel floating top tanks with a capacity of 23,500 barrels
each. The station building was 50 x 112 feet. There was a large boiler room,
warehouse, treating tank and spray basin. There were three 350 hp engines,
three Wilson-Snyder pumps, four strike pumps, one Deming water pump for each
unit. There was an auxiliary pump, to pump oil out of the lines back into
the tanks in case of an oil line break.
In 1930 and 1937 more pumps were added.
R.R. Lacy was Chief Engineer of this large pump station. There were sixteen
employees.
The station is abandoned now, but crude oil is still being pumped through
the line electrically. Small planes fly the line periodically, searching for
leaks or problems.
Submitted by Mary Zeiler