Skip to main content

Slideshow: Pump Jack Art Celebrates Luling's Oil History

Luling, which once gushed with oil and was known as the “toughest town in Texas,” has found a unique way to celebrate its heritage: decorating its aging — but still working — pump jacks with vibrant colors and characters.

by Todd Wiseman

A few feet away from the train tracks that split Luling, a pump jack showcases a cow jumping over the moon.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
In the First Baptist Church parking lot, a few feet away from a rusty basketball hoop that looks just as old as the well, a pump jack quarterback is poised to make a pass. The quarterback is wearing Luling High School's green and white.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
As Dairy Queen customers inch through the drive-through line, they can gaze upon the "DQ Dude," who is branded with the company's logo.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
Near a Chevron station, the vibrant colors of this installation — "Girl Picking Flowers" — clash with the rusty pump jack it clings to.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
This butterfly, which gently flaps its wings when the pump is turned on, is one of Luling's older pump jack installations.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
In a grocery store parking lot, these swimming ducks bob up and down with the pump jack.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
This pump jack, which operates near ELGI Rubber Company on U.S. 183, features a killer whale.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
Most of the 183 pump jacks scattered throughout Luling are unadorned, such as this one in the middle a shared yard.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
When this pump is switched on, it sends Santa Claus' sleigh moving up and down. It sits in the side parking lot of a Dollar General store.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
This surf board-toting flamingo in a car sits atop a pump in the American National Bank parking lot.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
A shark chomps at a fish in the Dollar General parking lot. This is one of several art installations in Luling created by George Kalisek, an artist based in Moulton. Kalisek says the installations with moving parts are toughest to design, but they are his favorite.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
A piece called "Seesaw Kids" sits in the grass near a pump jack near ELGI Rubber Company. When a well or the art needs repairing, Kalesik says he can easily disassemble the pieces. And in most cases, it takes just an hour to put them back together.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
In Blanche Square of off U.S. 183, an eagle bobs up and down with the pump jack.
Credit: Todd Wiseman
A pump jack tiger faces U.S. 183 off of Lamar Street.
Credit: Todd Wiseman

Quality journalism doesn't come free

Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Do you value our journalism? Show us with your support.

Yes, I'll donate today