Pennsylvania Oil Region and the Titusville Discovery (1859-1900)

1. Kier begins refining petroleum into lamp fuel

   Jan 1, 1853Labels: Samuel M, Pittsburgh

   • Britannica
   • ACS Landmark

2. Drake arrives to drill for oil near Titusville

   Jan 1, 1857Labels: Edwin L, Seneca Oil

   • Drake Museum
   • ACS Landmark

3. Drake well strikes oil on Oil Creek

   Aug 27, 1859Labels: Drake Well, Titusville

   • ASME Landmark
   • ACS Landmark
   • Drake Museum

4. Oil Creek Railroad begins reaching key oil sites

   Jan 1, 1862Labels: Oil Creek, Titusville

   • Oil Creek RR
   • Titusville PA

5. Roberts successfully “shoots” an oil well

   Jan 21, 1865Labels: Edward A, torpedoing

   • Roberts Patent
   • The Driller

6. Pithole City is laid out after nearby strikes

   May 24, 1865Labels: Pithole City, boomtown

   • Pithole PA
   • AAPG

7. Pithole is incorporated as an oil boomtown

   Nov 30, 1865Labels: Pithole, borough incorporation

   • Pithole PA

8. Major fire accelerates Pithole’s decline

   Aug 2, 1866Labels: Pithole, fire

   • AAPG

9. Titusville Oil Exchange organizes regional trading

   Jan 1, 1871Labels: Titusville Oil, producers

   • PA History
   • Titusville PA

10. Oil City becomes an incorporated city and shipping hub

    Mar 3, 1871Labels: Oil City, shipping hub

    • Britannica
    • Oil City Gov

11. South Improvement Company scheme sparks “Oil War” protests

    Apr 2, 1872Labels: South Improvement, Oil War

    • South Improve
    • PBS AMEX

12. Tidewater completes long-distance pipeline to Williamsport

    May 28, 1879Labels: Tidewater pipeline, Bradford

    • Britannica Kids
    • Tidewater Oil

13. Oil Creek flood and fires devastate Titusville and Oil City

    Jun 4, 1892Labels: Oil Creek, Titusville

    • NWS Cleveland
    • Library Congress

14. Titusville Oil Exchange dissolves as industry reorganizes

    Jan 1, 1897Labels: Titusville Oil, dissolution

    • PA History