Pithole
Inscription
Created in 1865 by the discovery of oil. Within a few months it was a boom town of 15,000 with banks, churches, hotels, newspaper, post office, water system, and railroad. Oil wells began to go dry in less than a year, and in time only excavations and street lines remained. Site is about two miles northeast.
Location
Sources
More markers in Venango
Venango Path
A major Indian path from the Forks of the Ohio (Pittsburgh) to Venango (Franklin) was located just west of here.
The Crawford Family
Emlenton, PA
Eben Crawford (1821-1897) was an iron foundry operator and early oil and gas producer.
Old Garrison
Franklin, PA
Built in 1796 to replace Fort Franklin.
Fort Venango
Franklin, PA
To assert control over the area, Fort Venango was built near this point by the British in 1760.
Joseph Reid Gas Engine Company
Oil City, PA
Founded in Oil City, 1894, it produced engines for pumping oil wells.