Potentially the last smile from Wilmington-area refinery's jack-o-lantern storage tank
In a sea of gray, white and beige storage tanks within the Phillips 66 oil refinery complex in the city of Wilmington, one stands out from the rest with its orange body and toothy grin.Every October since 1952, a 3-million-gallon oval storage tank has been transformed into “the world’s largest jack-o-lantern,” according to Al Ortiz, spokesperson for Phillips 66.
Known as Smilin’ Jack, the tank was once used to store gasoline but now is just in reserve.It takes more than 100 gallons of paint to prepare Jack for his “grand appearance,” Ortiz said, including eyes that are 18 feet high, a grin that’s 73 feet wide and teeth that are 4 square feet in size.As monumental a task as that may be, it used to require significantly more paint; in 1956, The Times reported that it took 180 gallons of paint to make Jack the perfect shade of orange and provide his distinctive facial features.In October, though, Phillips 66 announced it will shutter the complex toward the end of next year.
With the imminent closure of the refinery, who will be in charge of bringing Smilin’ Jack to life is unknown.“The future of Smilin’ Jack is still being discussed, and Phillips 66 will keep the community informed,” Ortiz said.
Business Phillips 66 announced Wednesday that it will close its Wilmington-area refinery complex next year but will work with the state to continue supplying fuel to consumers.Oct.17, 2024The tank’s distinctive squat and oval shape reflects its original purpose, which was to store substances that “will not remain in liquid form unless held under slight pressure or for light oils that vaporize readily,” wrote Nicholas Beyelia, a librarian for the Los Angeles Public library.
This shape enables the tank to withstand a greater amount of pressure than a cylindrical tank can, Beyelia said.In his research, Beyelia found that the primer used to prep the tank when it was completed in October 1952 had an orange tint.“The proximity to Halloween as well ...