Hog Wild:
Zolfo Springs show brings out hog oiler collectors
By Shirley Herlihy
The vast majority of all hog oilers produced in the U.S. originated in the Midwest. But nearly 80 years after production ended, there's a strong contingent of the barnyard collectible in sunny Florida. Several hog oiler collectors attended Pioneer Park Days at Zolfo Springs in March.
Don and Mary Baxter are from Alva, near LaBelle on the Caloosahatchee River. They've been collecting oilers since they saw their first one 14 years ago. Their hog oilers are always sheltered, occupying places of honor on porches at the couple's home. When the Baxters take their collection to a show, it's a major job.
"They're heavy," Mary said. "I appreciate my husband lifting them for me."
"Hog oilers get heavier every year," he said.
B.Z. has been collecting since 1974, and has a grand total of 40. The size of the collection has forced him to diversify when he attends shows.
"It's based on quality, not quantity," he said. "I only brought seven to this show."
Sheila and Chris Carson, the southern-most hog oiler collectors at Zolfo Springs, trekked all the way from Key Largo in the Florida Keys. Sheila said her collection resulted from her daughter's affection for pigs. The result? A mother-daughter collection of pig-related historical items, especially hog oilers.
Both Sheila and Dahlia, 14, enjoy restoring and showing their cast iron rarities. And they've come up with another connection to their hobby: While doing genealogical research, Sheila discovered that her family tree includes successful hog farmers in England and Michigan. And one of her relatives is recovering from open heart surgery, in which he received a heart valve from a pig.
"Where," Sheila asked, "would we be without pigs?"