Crane Bros. Well Drilling, Inc. is owned by Fred and Donnie Crane of Franklin, North Carolina. They started the drilling business in 1965 with a cable tool drill, working with their dad, Ervin Crane, who worked for a company by the name of E.L. Erwin of Sylva, NC. Prior to that, their dad worked for Branson Rogers, the first well driller in Macon County. In 1967, Fred and Donnie, along with their dad, started their own business. Drilling wells at that time was a lot different than today. They might drill 10 to 15 feet some days versus today, they can probably 400 feet. Working with a cable too drill is much different than the rotary drills. They were very young boys at the time, but took much pride in their work. In 1970, they bought their first rotary drill, and then, in 1973, they went to Pennsylvania to pick up the drill. They used that drill for several years. In 1978, they purchased a Dilltech which they used for several years, also. Then, they bought an Ingersoll Rand, which they are still using today.