Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Oil Refinery

Industry & Innovation • Lima, OH

— Lima's Local History Hunt —

Oil Refinery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 25, 2026

1. Oil Refinery Marker

Inscription. Oil became an important resource in Ohio after large deposits were discovered in Lima in 1885, igniting an economic boom. Despite concerns about its high sulfur content, John D. Rockefeller invested heavily in Lima crude and built the Solar Refinery, where engineers developed a process to make it usable fuel. Between 1886 and 1900, the Lima Oil Field was the world's leading producer, yielding 190 million barrels. The refinery has operated continuously under various companies since then and remains vital to both the Lima community and the Midwest's fuel supply.

Erected 2026 by America 250-Ohio Commission. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 40° 43.216′ N, 84° 6.828′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of South Metcalf Street and South Lake Street, on the right when traveling south on South Metcalf Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 1150 S Metcalf St, Lima OH 45804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Solar Refinery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Shawnee Indian Reservation (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hog Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. John Catholic Church (approx. ¾ mile away); American Legion Post No. 96 Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named American Legion Post No. 96 Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.9 miles away); Encore Theatre (approx. 0.9 miles away); Tawa Town (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Also see . . . Lima's Local History Hunt. (Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 25, 2026

2. Oil Refinery Marker

America 250-Ohio Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by America 250-Ohio Commission

3. America 250-Ohio Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.