Downtown in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kier Refinery

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 14, 2011

1. Kier Refinery Marker

Inscription. Using a five-barrel still, Samuel M. Kier erected on this site about 1854 the first commercial refinery to produce illuminating oil from petroleum. He used crude oil from salt wells at Tarentum.

Erected 1959 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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 40° 26.475′ N, 79° 59.62′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bigelow Boulevard and 7th Avenue. Crosstown Park near Chatham / Bigelow Square, between Bigelow Boulevard & 7th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Refining Crude Oil (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gulf Building (about 600 feet away); Epiphany Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Founding Convention of the AFL (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Empty Pocket Pays (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mellon Square (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); Le Magnifique (approx. 0.2 miles away); "The Bell Speaks" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . .
1. Samuel Kier (1813-1874) – Giving Oil Commercial Value. (Submitted on June 14, 2011.)
2. Kier Refinery - Behind the Marker. (Submitted on June 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 14, 2011

2. Kier Refinery Marker

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 14, 2011

3. Kier Refinery Marker

Samuel Martin Kier image. Click for full size.

Photographed By American Manufacturer and Iron World, circa 1901

4. Samuel Martin Kier

(July 19, 1813 – October 6, 1874) was an American inventor and businessman who is credited with founding the American petroleum refining industry. He was the first person in the United States to refine crude oil into lamp oil

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 927 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.