Roy Chamberlain and James Hoblit, two working class oilmen, built the refinery in 1933 from parts scrounged from defunct refineries around central Wyoming. It operated for 45 years, providing heating oil, gasoline, and a handful of jobs for the people of Lusk. It changed hands but kept running until 1978. After that it was shuttered for 20 years.
With the dedication of some local oil workers, the new owner who bought it after learning of it in 1998 got the refinery working. That earned it recognition by Guinness World Records as the smallest operating oil refinery at a capacity of 190 barrels of crude a day.
Great human interest story. Thanks
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