Strike Black Gold With A Bulldozer: He Dreams Of Wildcatting A Gusher -Orig. Georgia Traveler

If anyone could strike black gold with a bulldozer it’s Oscar Robertson. Oscar dreams of wildcatting a gusher outside of Ball Ground, Georgia. The people in Cherokee County call him “The Rock Man.” Mr. Robertson owns several buildings in Ball Ground and filled them with rocks and gemstones he’s dug up around the area. He doesn’t sell them, just has them. Down through the years he bought more property and filled the stores and vacant lots with his giant collection of rocks, marble pieces, jewelry, and statues. In 1975 he discovered raw oil floating on the surface of some of his ponds. After some research he decided that he had oil shale and an opportunity to prospect for oil. He didn’t need a drill, just a bulldozer. In 1975 he took us to the secret location of one of the spots he’d discovered oil … and it was there, floating on the water. Oscar “The Rock Man” Robertson was ready for a gusher. This story aired on WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News in 1975.
FYI - There has never been a successful oil well drilled in Georgia
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Long before CNN and Fox News the Traveler series with Andy Johnston was an Emmy award winning program that showcased amazing people, unusual things, local legends, food finds, outdoor activities, folk art, and family fun. In 2022 the Walter J. Brown Media Archives at the University of Georgia founded The Original Georgia Traveler -- Andy Johnston Collection to preserve and maintain the stories.
The Traveler Series celebrates life and living in America in the 1970s. These are true stories about nostalgia, small towns, traditional life and the good old days. The stories give us ways to compare then and now. Folklore, music, handcrafts, vanishing America and unusual people.
This story is presented for educational and preservation purposes and is covered under Fair Use. At the time it was broadcast the television station had a blanket music license with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. The station maintains that license today. All music used is covered under that agreement.
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[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Do you know if he ever made anything of it after you interviewed him?

[@georgiatraveler]

Hi, it never worked out for Mr. Robertson. Even if he had found enough oil, there wasn't a pipeline anywhere near that part of Georgia. So he gave up.

[@olskool3967]

yesterday, when i was young,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@georgiatraveler]

You have to love his ambition

[@bd1zzl3]

I love the pioneering spirit!

[@georgiatraveler]

Mr. Roberson was into a lot of stuff.. He had vision