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

George Bissell

(1821-1884)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 30, 2011

1. George Bissell Marker

Inscription. An attorney and oil industry pioneer, in 1854 with J.G. Eveleth, he purchased the Hibbard Farm, future site of Drake Well. Later that year, they organized Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company, America's first oil corporation. Bissell, with partners, also developed Petroleum Centre and United Petroleum Farms at Oil City.

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 41° 23.804′ N, 79° 49.604′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Pennsylvania, in Venango County. It is on South Park Street 0.1 miles east of Liberty Street (Pennsylvania Route 8), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin PA 16323, 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, 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: Venango County Vietnam Veterans Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Venango County Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Galena-Signal Oil Company (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Veterans Memorial (about

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300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Venango County (about 300 feet away); Venango County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); Brigadier General Alfred B. McCalmont (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 30, 2011

2. George Bissell Marker

George Bissell Sketch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown (Courtesy Oil150.com)

3. George Bissell Sketch

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,101 times since then and 929 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.