Emlenton in Venango County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gas Industry - Early Beginnings
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 7, 2025
1. Gas Industry - Early Beginnings Marker
Left Photo
The accompanying illustration charts the growth from the Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Co., culminating in the formation of the Ohio Fuel Corporation. In 1926 the O.F.C. became the major component of the newly formed Columbia Gas and Electric Company, with George W. Crawford as its Chairman of the Board and including Fred Crawford and Thomas B. Gregory as Vice-Presidents. The Columbia System today remains one of the largest gas distributing and exploring organizations in the eastern United States.
Center Photo
Original office building of the Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Companyon this site, 1895.
Right Photo
This building was dedicated in 1930 as a branch office of Pennsylvania Fuel Supply Co. and Manufacturers Light and Heat Co., two divisions of the Columbia System. It is fittingly located on the site of the original office.
The accompanying illustration charts the growth from the Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Co., culminating in the formation of the Ohio Fuel Corporation. In 1926 the O.F.C. became the major component of the newly formed Columbia Gas and Electric Company, with George W. Crawford as its Chairman of the Board and including Fred Crawford and Thomas B. Gregory as Vice-Presidents. The Columbia System today remains one of the largest gas distributing and exploring organizations in the eastern United States.
Center Photo
Original office building of the Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Companyon this site, 1895.
Right Photo
This building was dedicated in 1930 as a branch office of Pennsylvania Fuel Supply Co. and Manufacturers Light and Heat Co., two divisions of the Columbia System. It is fittingly located on the site of the original office.
The Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Company in 1882 became one of the first licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through it local men gained early understanding of the unique problems of reliable delivery from inherently unsteady sources. Those same men parlayed that understanding by merging small, often struggling, independent gas companies into pipeline networks. They maintained continuous exploration and drilling operations in often distant fields.
Emlenton native son George W. Crawford-with the early guidance and partnership of his older brother-in-law M.C. Treat-became leaders in expanding those efforts. From the 1880s into the first quarter of the Twentieth Century, they, George's brothers Fred and Carroll, Thomas B. Gregory, Harry J. Crawford, and others cooperatively pursued that activity throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 41° 10.637′ N, 79° 42.454′ W. Marker is
this page online
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, 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: Elegance Amidst Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); James Bennett - Premier Entrepeneur (within shouting distance of this marker); H.B. Mitchell - An Emlenton Success Story (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Supplies The Area's Needs (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); World War Memorial (about 300 feet away); The Crawford Family (about 400 feet away); Synoptic History of Emlenton (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emlenton.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 7, 2025
2. Gas Industry - Early Beginnings 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 88 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
