Titusville in Crawford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Drake Well
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 4, 2019
1. Drake Well Marker
Edwin I. Drake, a former railroad conductor , traveled to Titusville in 1857 to find and produce oil in commercial quantities
Partnering with salt well driller and blacksmith "Uncle Billy" Smith, they persevered to strike oil in August 27, 1859 at a depth of 69.5 feet. Their discovery prompted people to pour into the region for their chance at wealth.
Titusville became the birthplace of the oil industry.
Drake Well Museum is located 1 mile from here and provides a glimpse inside the valley that changed the world.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1859.
Location. 41° 37.085′ N, 79° 40.272′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is on Smock Road (Pennsylvania Route 8), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Titusville PA 16354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania and in Greater Erie. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sun Oil Co./Sunoco (here, next to this marker); Exxon (here, next to this marker); Gulf (here, next to this marker); Spindletop (here, next to this marker); Texaco (here, next to this marker); Union 76 Gasoline (here, next to this marker); Pennzoil & South Penn
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Edwin L. Drake
Additional keywords. petroleum
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 4, 2019
2. Titusville
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
