Washington in Washington County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gantz Oil Well
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 27, 2006
1. Gantz Oil Well Marker
Site of first oil well in Washington County. Oil was struck in Dec., 1884. First oil was shipped in 1885; last oil was pumped about 1916. This well led to the development of the Washington oil field.
Erected 1953 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1884.
Location. 40° 10.267′ N, 80° 15.328′ W. Marker is in Washington, Pennsylvania, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of West Chestnut Street (U.S. 40) and Brookside Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 W Chestnut Street, Washington PA 15301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh. 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Revolutionary War Soldiers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Captain Philo McGiffin (approx. half a mile away); Korea Vietnam (approx. half a mile away); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Gantz Oil Well - Behind the Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on July 13, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Washington oil field. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 27, 2006
2. Gantz Oil Well Marker
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 4, 2014
3. Gantz Oil Well Marker
Missing/broken off
via Wikipedia, 1904
4. A United States Geological Survey photo of the Gantz oil well in 1904.
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, September 23, 2007
5. Marker with street in background
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 4, 2014
6. Gantz Oil Well Marker
Missing/broken
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck
7. Fiberglass milestone, across the street from the marker
Cast iron milestones used to line the National Road from Cumberland, Maryland to Wheeling, West Virginia. Time has taken its toll and many of these markers, made in the 1830s, have been replaced by ones made out of fiberglass.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,262 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 4, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on February 15, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 6. submitted on January 4, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on February 29, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
