The Tarbell House

Ida Minerva Tarbell, best known for her History of Standard Oil, moved to Titusville in 1870. In her autobiography, All in the Day's Work, she described her home this way.

"...when I was thirteen I found myself in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in a new house my father had built. How characteristic of the instability of the oil towns of that day, as well as of the frugality of my father, was this house! From the beginning of the Pithole excitement he had made money...then the bottom fell out." Tarbell was able to purchase Pithole's Bonta House for $600. "He paid the money, tore down the building," and carted its parts to Titusville. He had admired the "long French windows, really fine iron brackets supporting its verandahs, handsome woodwork. [He made use of the] fine doors and windows, mouldings and all...and I suppose much of its timber. [From these parts he] built the house which was our home for many years."

[Photo captions, clockwise from top center, read]
• The Bonta House, Pithole

• Franklin Sumner Tarbell had been a teacher until he came to the oil region and started manufacturing wood

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• Ida graduated from Titusville High School and entered Allegheny College as the only female in her class. Her achievements in investigative journalism later earned her induction into the Women's Hall of Fame at Seneca Falls, NY in 2000, and a postage stamp in her likeness in 2002.

• The Tarbell Home C. 1890
 
Erected by Oil Region Alliance and City of Titusville.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
 
Location. 41° 37.703′ N, 79° 40.083′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is on Main Street west of Kerr Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 East Main Street, 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: Ida M. Tarbell (a few steps from this marker); John Mather Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John A. Mather (about 300 feet away); George Custer Home (about 500 feet away);

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2019

2. The Tarbell House and Marker

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2019

3. The Tarbell House

Photographed by Allen C. Browne

4. Ida Tarbell

by Harris & Ewing.