Downtown in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Refining Crude Oil
Samuel Kier's Still
— Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania —
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 1, 2015
1. Refining Crude Oil Marker
Inscription.
Refining Crude Oil. Samuel Kier's Still. Near this site in the 1850s Samuel Kier constructed a cast-iron distillation unit for refining crude oil. Kier's one-barrel still produced kerosene, a clean burning lamp fuel. Later, Kier built a five-barrel still and invented a lamp that minimized smoke and odor. Kier's refining process touched off the search for more dependable sources of crude oil, which led to the drilling of the nation's first oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. These two technologies-refining and drilling-made western Pennsylvania the undisputed center of the early oil industry.
Near this site in the 1850s Samuel Kier constructed a cast-iron distillation unit for refining crude oil. Kier's one-barrel still produced kerosene, a clean burning lamp fuel. Later, Kier built a five-barrel still and invented a lamp that minimized smoke and odor. Kier's refining process touched off the search for more dependable sources of crude oil, which led to the drilling of the nation's first oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. These two technologies-refining and drilling-made western Pennsylvania the undisputed center of the early oil industry.
Erected 2009 by American Chemical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 40° 26.522′ N, 79° 59.692′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Seventh Street and Grant Street, on the right when traveling east. 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. Gulf Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kier Refinery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Founding Convention of the AFL (about 700 feet away); Mellon Square
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 1, 2015
2. Refining Crude Oil Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
