The Ardmore refinery has had many names. It started as the Cameron Refinery in the early 1920s, became the Wirt Franklin Refinery, then the Ben Franklin Refinery — named in sequence for the man who built the Oklahoma oil industry from the ground up. That same refinery eventually became Valero. It is still running today.
A Ben Franklin Gasoline distressed cap on a classic Yupoong DT600 6-panel low-profile structured crown. Adjustable slide closure, one size fits most. Distressed fabric with intentional fading — built to wear the way a working oilfield hat wears. Available in Stone, Nickel, Black, Dashing Red, and Scotland Blue.
Wirt Franklin arrived in Ardmore in 1905, established a law practice, and by 1913 had pivoted decisively to oil — playing a pivotal role in establishing the Healdton Field. He went on to found the Independent Petroleum Association of America, fighting at President Hoover's Oil Conservation Conference on behalf of independent producers against federal production restrictions. The Oklahoma town of Wirt, near Healdton, was named directly after him. The Ben Franklin brand carried that legacy forward on the pump island — and a complete Ben Franklin Premium Regular Gasoline globe in 9.0 condition recently hammered at Morphy's auction for $10,000-$14,000.
The perfect gift for the Oklahoma history collector, the petroliana enthusiast who knows the Healdton Field story, or anyone who understands that the best brands are built on real ground by real people.
The Faded Label Co. — keeping the golden age of American roadside art alive, one product at a time.
