Near Oil City in Venango County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
H. McClintock Farm
McClintock's farm successful oil spring made his farm valuable real estate when the Drake Well launched the modern petroleum industry in August 1859. Jonathan Watson, a partner in the company that leased the land for Drake's well, immediately rented land on the H. McClintock Farm and began drilling. Brewer, Watson and Company struck oil in November 1859, triggering a drilling bonanza on the farm. More than 60 wells were drilled in 1861, and by mid-1862, the farm had produced over 82,000 barrels of oil.
Hundreds of people flocked to the H. McClintock Farm either to drill for oil or to provide services to those hunting for it. In 1860, a village took root on the property. Positioned on the flatlands beside Oil Creek, McClintockville grew with the oil farm's success, boasting a hotel, boarding houses, stores, oil company offices, a blacksmith, refineries, a toll bridge and more.
Right Photo Pictured here in 1864, McClintockville was home to men like Henry H. Rogers who went on to become influential oil industrialists. Before serving as vice president of Standard Oil, Rogers made his start as an oil refiner on the H. McClintock Farm. Picture is the view looking west across Oil Creek.
Middle Photo In the spring of 1864, the McClintockville Petroleum Company purchased the H. McClintock Farm (pictured here from the east side of Oil Creek in circa 1867).
Left Photo Early oil pioneers believed that the most promising drilling locations were areas near the waters of Oil Creek and places where oil naturally seeped to the surface. As a result, Hamilton McClintock's oil spring, located in the middle of Oil Creek, became the site of the region''s third producing well. Photo shows the east bank of Oil Creek.
Erected by Venango County, Oil Region Alliance.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1859.
Location. 41° 27.587′ N, 79° 41.502′ W. Marker is near Oil City, Pennsylvania, in Venango County. Marker is on Waitz Road, 0.1 miles west of Pennsylvania Route 8, on the right when traveling west. Just past railroad tracks from PA 8. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oil City PA 16301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McClintock's Story (within shouting distance of this marker); McClintock Well #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Oldest Producing Oil Well (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry R. Rouse (1823-1861) (approx. 0.6 miles away); Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski (approx. 1˝ miles away); Rynd Farm (approx. 1˝ miles away); McClintock-Steele-Waitz House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Charles Lockhart (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oil City.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 8, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.