Near Titusville in Venango County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Densmore Tank Cars
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 25, 2009
1. Densmore Tank Cars Marker
The first functional railway oil tank car was invented and constructed in 1865 by James and Amos Densmore at nearby Miller Farm along Oil Creek. It consisted of two wooden tanks placed on a flat railway car; each tank held 40-45 barrels of crude oil. A successful test shipment was sent in Sept., 1865 to New York City. By 1866, hundreds of tank cars were in use. The Densmore Tank Car revolutionized the bulk transportation of crude oil to market.
Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1865.
Location. 41° 34.162′ N, 79° 41.527′ W. Marker is near Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Venango County. It is on William Flinn Highway (Pennsylvania Route 8) near Turkey Farm Road, on the right when traveling south. Next to Cross Creek Resort property. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Titusville PA 16354, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Drake Well (approx. 3.4 miles away); Samuel Van Syckel (approx. 3.4 miles away); Drake Well Park
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Densmore Brothers invent First Oil Tank Car. American Oil & Gas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on June 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Oil Creek Railroad. Wikipedia entry, links to Wayback Machine entry (Submitted on June 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
via American Oil & Gas Historical Society, unknown
2. Densmore Tank Cars
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 25, 2009
3. Densmore Tank Cars Marker
Photo taken looking north on Route 8.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on December 14, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on June 19, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 14, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
