Emlenton in Venango County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elegance Amidst Commerce

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 7, 2025

1. Elegance Amidst Commerce Marker

Left Photo
Porterfield Mansion

Right Top Photo
The now gone business block as shown extended east from Kerr along Main

Right Bottom Photo
The winter scene presents a westward view of the same businesses on Main Street. Note the Star Theater sign on the left.

Inscription. John C. Porterfield (1828-1894), son of an iron furnace owner, began his career clerking in "The Iron Store"-a merchandise and trade center established by the Kittanning Iron Works. Later, with John McCombs, he purchased the store.

His ornate mansion was constructed in the 1870s from local brick. The third floor featured a full ballroom, often the scene of gala social events. The building burned in 1986.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1986.

Location. 41° 10.628′ N, 79° 42.438′ W. Marker is in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, in Venango County. It can be reached from Main Street west of 4th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emlenton PA 16373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

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,

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it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gas Industry - Early Beginnings (within shouting distance of this marker); James Bennett - Premier Entrepeneur (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); H.B. Mitchell - An Emlenton Success Story (about 300 feet away); Railroad Supplies The Area's Needs (about 300 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); World War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Synoptic History of Emlenton (about 500 feet away); Life on the Allegheny (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emlenton.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 7, 2025

2. Elegance Amidst Commerce Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.