Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ohio Oil Co - Marathon Oil Co / Gas Boom Era
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
1. The Ohio Oil Co-Marathon Oil Co Marker (Side A)
Side A: The Ohio Oil Company-Marathon Oil Company
Site of the first Findlay Field Office for what was to become a world-wide oil company, formerly locally owned and operated.
1887: The Ohio Oil Company was incorporated by five independent oil producers in the Lima field.
1901: J.C. Donnell elected President of The Ohio Oil Company. Company's big well, the "Hugh McMurray," comes in.
1929: Construction begins on new office building at South Main and Hardin streets.
1962: Name changed to Marathon Oil Company to reflect international operations.
Side B: Gas Boom Era
Four years (1886-1890) changed the course of history in Northwest Ohio, making Findlay an industrial center.
1884: Findlay Natural Gas Company, formed by Dr. Charles Oesterlen, brings in first commercial natural gas well.
1886: Karg Well comes in and Findlay becomes known as the "City of Light."
1887: Free fuel, free light, and free land attracts 31 industries to Findlay.
1888: Findlay becomes known as "Glass Capital of the World."
1890: Natural gas output declines. Oil production increases.
Erected 1987 by Historic Preservation Guild of Hancock County and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 14-32.)
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 41° 2.357′ N, 83° 39.147′ W. Marker is in Findlay, Ohio, in Hancock County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Cross Street (Ohio Route 12) and Cory Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Cross Street. Marker is in front of Central Middle School (former high school). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Main Cross Street, Findlay OH 45840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hancock County Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (about 400 feet away); War Savings Stamps (about 500 feet away); Outstanding Renovated Building, 1980 - 1986 (about 600 feet away); Hancock County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Outstanding New Building, 1978 - 1979 (about 700 feet away); The Underground Railroad in Hancock County (about 700 feet away); Site of Fort Findlay (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Findlay.
Also see . . .
1. 1888 History of Hancock County
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
2. Gas Boom Era Marker (Side B)
2. Findlay, in Brown's History of Hancock County (1886). Google Books entry (Submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Ohio Oil Company. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
3. The Ohio Oil Co - Marathon Oil Co / Gas Boom Era Marker
At left front of photo.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
4. Former Marathon Oil Company Headquarters
Main and Hardin Streets
Postcard by Findlay Printing & Supply Co., circa 1940
5. Ohio Oil Company Building, Findlay, Ohio
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
6. Central Middle School Entrance
Markers to left and right of steps.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
7. Former High School Build Date
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
8. Former High School Dedication to Youth
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
9. Former High School Knowledge Quote
On east wall of school
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,941 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on December 28, 2014. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
