Corliss Steam Engine (Pawnee, Oklahoma)
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Corliss Steam Engine | |
   | |
| Location | Pawnee County Fairgrounds, Pawnee, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°20′48″N 96°47′39″W / 36.34667°N 96.79417°W |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Corliss, G.H. |
| Architectural style | Steam Engine |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002016[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 7, 1979 |
The Corliss Steam Engine on the Pawnee County Fairgrounds in Pawnee, Oklahoma is a Corliss steam engine that was built c. 1912.[2][3] It and a twin sister engine were originally built for the Blackwell Zinc Co., of Blackwell, Oklahoma.[4] It powered most of the electricity-powered machinery in the 1000-employee zinc smelting plant, until the plant closed in 1973.[2]
It was later donated to the Oklahoma Steam Thresher Association, disassembled, and restored in its own building on the Pawnee County Fairgrounds.[2] One source on the web has 6 photos of the engine displayed there.[4]
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 1979, with NRIS number 79002016.[1] The application states that the significance of this engine is:"...(1) its position of pre-eminence in the history of American technology, (2) its role in the Industrial development of Oklahoma, and (3) its survival as one of the country's few remaining functional Corliss Engines."[2]
