1907—The Only State Geological Survey Charles Newton Gould and animal life, especially birds. The Survey’s in a State Constitution The Father of Oklahoma Geology directors have been mindful of the mandate to The Oklahoma Geological Survey has the Director, 1908–1911, 1924–1931 conserve resources and use them wisely. distinction of being the only geological survey When Charles Newton Gould came to OU in For Daniel Ohern and Shannon, the task was written into a state constitution. When Oklahoma 1900, his drive, determination and relentless to continue basic studies and expand publication became a state in 1907, it immediately became the energy made him the perfect person to found OU’s and mapping programs. In 1924, Gould returned. leader among states in oil production. From the geology department and, in 1907, to beginning, Oklahoma’s natural resources were foster in the Constitution what would From the Depression to the Jet Age important to the economy. Legislation mandated become the Oklahoma Geological Survey. Robert H. Dott, Director, 1935–1952 that the Survey: Gould saw the need to blend Dott saw the Survey through the Great academics, industry concerns and public Depression, through World War II, and into the Investigate the state's land, water, needs in a single research and public beginnings of the space and mineral, and energy resources and service agency that would bring these technology age. disseminate the results of those areas together to better serve Oklahoma. One of his early OGS projects, investigations to promote the wise use And that he did, setting the tone for the however, involved people hired consistent with sound environmental OGS for at least the next 100 years. through government relief practices. In 1911, Gould resigned to try his programs in the 1930s to study the hand in the oil business and was a culture, building materials and Dott The Survey began work in 1908 after an pioneer in the application of geology to mineral deposits of the state. While enabling act was signed by Governor Charles N. exploration. Although he was very the information proved valuable and was put to Haskell on May 29, 1908. successful, he returned to become good use, most importantly a water study of some director of the OGS again when needed 100,000 Oklahoma wells, the much-needed jobs The basic mission then, as now, is research, Gould in 1924 and stayed until 1931. helped individuals and the economy. field work and mapping to add to the body of Gould is known as the “Father of Dott’s Survey focused on natural resources knowledge about Oklahoma geology and natural Oklahoma Geology.” suitable for manufacturing and even opened a resources. The Survey publishes its findings and research lab to develop new uses for some of the makes the information available through books, Continuing Study of the New State most mundane materials, which he called the maps, workshops and seminars, lectures, the Daniel W. Ohern, Director 1911–1914 “humble materials.” He hoped Oklahoma Internet, and many other means of Charles W. Shannon, Director 1914–1923 businesses would use manufacturing to add value communication to the public. The basic reconnaissance work continued by making pottery, tile, stoneware, brick, drilling under the next two directors during the early mud, glass, rock wool and other products that Among the benefits derived from OGS activities years of the Survey. Investigations of oil and gas, would result in more money and jobs than simply are location and assessment of road and building coal, glass sand, building stone, producing the raw material. materials, examination of such natural hazards as gypsum, lead and zinc, water earthquakes and ground collapse, water quality resources, and building materials Into the Space Age and Beyond and availability studies, information for siting of continued, while new publications William E. Ham, Interim Director 1952–1954 roads and dams, and studies that aid in and maps were printed. The first Carl Colton Branson, Director 1954–1967 exploration for and production of oil and gas. full-color geologic map of Bill Ham is the only native Oklahoman yet to Oklahoma was be director of the Survey. He Along with research and mapping, the Survey issued in 1926. was an economic geologist and makes geologists available to answer questions It was Charles Ohern an authority on carbonate rocks. from the public, speak to schools and scout Shannon who noted Carl Branson’s greatest groups, produce educational materials, and talk to that the “need of conservation is accomplishment as OGS director civic groups. The OGS also distributes needed apparent to members of the may have been building up the maps and materials from other agencies such as Shannon Survey,” and pointed to wastes of University of Oklahoma Geology the U.S. Geological Survey. coal, oil, natural gas, soils, forests Library. Ham —continued on back Today, the Survey continues to add library materials through an exchange program with other agencies in the Oklahoma U.S. and abroad. This effort provides publications that are donated by the Survey to the collection of the Youngblood Geological Geology Library. Branson During his tenure, Branson added a full-time petroleum geologist to the staff and efforts were made to publish more material Survey G. Randy Keller for oil, gas and coal studies. Uranium also was an item of much interest nationally, and the Survey The Oklahoma Geological Survey celebrates its devoted time to the study of this topic. 100 th year of service to the state of Oklahoma in 2008. It is the only geological survey to be written Charles J. Mankin, Director 1967–2007 A brief history into a state constitution, an act that highlights the During Charles Mankin’s years, the OGS importance of natural resources in this state. became more involved in coopera- tive studies with state and federal We hope that this very brief overview of the agencies and concentrated on oil Geological100 Survey, years its history and its directors will and gas activities that would help help you better understand our mission and our the small producers in Oklahoma. 100 years of service accomplishments.100 years In 1978, a geophysical observatory at Leonard, southeast Please join us in celebrating our Centennial. of Tulsa, was added to monitor to Oklahoma earthquakes worldwide. The Mankin G. Randy Keller Oklahoma Petroleum Information Center in Interim Director Norman opened in 2002, and in 2006 the OGS officially became affiliated with OU’s Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.

G. Randy Keller, Interim Director 2007–Present G. Randy Keller, a geophysics professor at OU, came to the Survey to assist in operations after Mankin’s retirement. Keller will oversee OGS administrative duties and help the Survey move Oklahoma Geological Survey forward with projects and programs at this time. 100 E. Boyd, Rm. N-131 Norman, Oklahoma 73019-0628 (405) 325-3031; [email protected]; www.ogs.ou.edu The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. Mewbourne College This publication is printed and issued by the Oklahoma Geological of Earth and Energy Survey. 200 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $36 to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma 1908–2008