Near Titusville in Venango County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Drake Well
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 5, 2007
1. Drake Well Marker
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
where through the foresight, energy
and persistence of
Edwin L. Drake
The first well was drilled for oil.
On August 27, 1859 oil was found
at a depth of sixty-nine feet.
This great discovery inaugurated the petroleum industry.
Erected 1914 by Canadohta Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 41° 36.65′ N, 79° 39.467′ W. Marker is near Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Venango County. Marker can be reached from Museum Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of Drake Well State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Titusville PA 16354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel Van Syckel (a few steps from this marker); Drake Well Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Drake Well (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gulf (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sun Oil Co./Sunoco (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a boulder at the site.
Also see . . .
1. The Story of Oil in Pennsylvania. The most important oil well ever drilled was in the middle of quiet farm country in northwestern Pennsylvania in 1859. For this was one of the first successful oil wells that was drilled for the sole purpose of finding oil. Known as the Drake Well, after "Colonel" Edwin Drake, the man responsible for the well, it began an international search for petroleum, and in many ways eventually changed the way we live. (Submitted on January 30, 2011.)
2. Drakes Well. An article written by Samuel T. Pees detailing the history of the first oil well. (Submitted on January 30, 2011.)
3. An 1890 Copywrited Drawing of Drakes Well. On file with the Library of Congress (Submitted on January 30, 2011.)
4. The Drake Well Museum. The website of the on-site museum. (Submitted on January 30, 2011.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 5, 2007
2. Drake Well Marker
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 5, 2007
3. Drake Well (Replica)
Photographed By Unknown
4. Edwin L. Drake
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 8, 1995
5. Drake Well Replica
Postcard by Cohn and Oakleaf, circa 1910
6. Titusville, Pa. The Original Drake Well in 1861 / Col. Drake in 1861
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 821 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on February 3, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on June 3, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 6. submitted on January 15, 2015. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
