Benson Memorial Library
Minerva and Byron David Benson's children built the library as a memorial to their parents in 1902. Mr. Benson had organized and was the first president of the Titusville Library Association. He further demonstrated his commitment to reading and education by serving on the school board and often visiting the schools.
Benson, a capable entrepreneur, was involved at various times in lumber, mining, railroads, and the developing oil industry. He engaged in many aspects of oil production and served as president of the Titusville Oil Exchange. He also made an important contribution to the industry.
During the 1860s oil was being transported through small pipelines to railroad cars. Benson conceived of a larger pipeline through which oil could be pumped overland for long distances. To build the pipeline, he formed and became president of the Tide Water Pipe Company. Although his idea was referred to by some as "Benson's Folly," the firm constructed a six-inch pipeline over 109 miles of difficult terrain and conditions from Bradford to Williamsport. The success of the pipeline proved Benson correct and revolutionized oil transport.
[Photo captions, left then right, top to bottom, read]
Byron David Benson
Minerva Stewart Benson
The Benson heirs, Robert, Bessie & William Benson, circa 1870.
Benson Memorial Library, 1904
Building the pipeline (Early Days of Oil, Giddens, 1948)
Erected by Oil
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 41° 37.739′ N, 79° 40.41′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of Franklin Street (Pennsylvania Route 89) and Church Place, on the left when traveling north on Franklin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 North Franklin 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
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Also see . . .
1. Byron David Benson. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Articles of Incorporation of the Tidewater Pipe Line. The History of the Standard Oil Company/Volume 2/Appendix/Number 37, by Ida Tarbell
Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 3, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Oil pollution still oozes at Star Lake mine. Adirondack Explorer website entry (2017):
The mine was opened by Byron Benson (Submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on July 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on June 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
