Oil City North Side Historic District. Preview

Oil City National Bank Building

This 1926 granite Neo-Classical Revival style Oil City National Bank Building is currently under renovation. You can see the portion of the rear of the building that had been added in the 1970s. The Oil City National Bank began in 1865 as the Oil City Savings Bank; in 1899 the name was changed to the Oil City National Bank and in 1900 the Lamberton Bank was absorbed into this institution.This buiding is located in the Downtown Historic District, which you can learn more about at this link. For more information, check out 100seneca.com.

The Downs Building

The Downs Building is a contributing resource in the Oil City Downtown Commercial Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Oil Region Alliance is rehabilitatng the three-story building at 201 Center Street, which began as Patrick Downs’ saloon and housed several businesses throughout the years.Now in the third phase of renovation, the Down building is a 1894 community landmark that was built after the Great Fire and Flood of 1892 that destroyed much of the North Side downtown district. Local architect Joseph P. Brenot designed the chateauesque style building for Patrick Downs. Downs was the proprietor of a saloon on the first floor of the building and he and his family lived in the upper floors. Later, two Greek brothers bought the Downs Building and ran an ice cream and candy shop. Triangle Shoes, Radio Shack and a T-shirt printing business were among the enterprises that followed the ice cream shop over the years. Doctors’ offices and attorneys’ offices were also housed in the building at various times. Sources gathered from The Derrick and others. For more information about renovations, check out oilregion.org.

Calvary Temple Church

Calvary Temple Church was constructed in 1906-1907 as the First United Presbyterian Church. After a merger, this building was offered for sale. In 1960, the Christian and Missionary Alliance purchases the property. Calvary Temple assumed ownership in 1992.

Saint Joseph Catholic Complex

Saint Joseph Catholic Complex includes the church, the rectory, and former convent. The church was designed by Adolphus Druiding, the architect for numerous Catholic churches across the country. The church was completed in 1894 and served the entire Oil City Catholic community until other parishes were added in the early 20th century.

Oil City North Side Historic District.

As you travel along Seeley and Cedar avenues, you are seeing residential development within the Oil City North Side Historic District. Notice the difference in topography and lot sizes compared to the South Side. Many of these houses were built for employees of the city's oil-related industries.

Cedar Avenue - Oil City North Side District

Grove Hill Cemetery

A cemetery association was created in 1870, and Grove Hill Cemetery was dedicated in June 1871. The steep slopes of the cemetery offer commanding view of Oil City- walk or drive through to experience the grounds.

Old Saint Joseph Cemetery

Saint Joseph Cemetery adjoins Grove Hill, but is only accessible via an entrance on Bishop Avenue. The land for the Catholic cemetery was thought to be sufficient; however, as the Catholic community grew, Calvary cemetery was developed near the newer middle and high school grounds on Lynch Boulevard.

Hasson Park

Hasson Park was established in 1895 from a gift of 44 acres of undeveloped land to the City from Captain William Hasson. The wooded park includes playgrounds, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and an acclaimed disc golf course.

James A. Nelles Memorial Swimming Pool

The James A. Nelles Memorial Swimming Pool opened in 2008 and is open each summer. The parcel is part of a donation to the City from Captain William Hasson that now includes the baseball field and dek hockey rink.

Murray's Scenic Overlook

Murray's Scenic Overlook was dedicated in 2011. Walk along the path, read the interpretive signs, and view the hills and "THE VALLEY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD!"

Polish Hill

This area of Oil City is known as Polish Hill because it attrached many Polish immigrants when they found work in local factories. Houses in this area are mostly unadorned buildings constructed on small lots. Many have garages at the rear of the parcels accessible via alleyways.

Former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church & School

This is the site of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic church and school, which were indicative of the city's Polish heritage. In 1899, enough Catholic Polish immigrants were living in the area to warrant a new congregation and parish church. The school closed in 1970 and the church closed in 2017.

Polish Heritage Memorial Park

Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry

The Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry is housed within the historic U.S. Federal Building, formerly the U.S. Post Office. Construction of the building was completed in 1906 under the direction of architect James Knox Taylor. Additions to the building were completed in 1912 and 1928.James Knox Taylor was Supervising Architect for the United States Department of Treasury from 1897 - 1912. Along with the U.S. Federal Building in Oil City, his name is listed as supervising architect of hundreds of federal buildings built throughout the United States during the time period, including the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital (1908), the Denver Mint (1897), and the Philadelphia Mint (third building in 1901).The Federal Building became a local landmark by serving as the main post office for Oil City for almost sixty years (1906 - 1963). It was built in response to the rapid commercial growth following the nineteenth century oil boom.Various government agencies had offices located in the building throughout the 1960s and 1970s including Selective Services and the Internal Revenue Service. After extensive renovations, the Museum moved into the building and opened in 1985 and has been serving Venango County residents and visitors at the location ever since.The building was designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, a French style of architecture popular from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. The Beaux-Arts style is most notable for its sculptural decoration along conservative, modern lines. Due the significance of its architecture, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The Museum exhibits materials relevant to Venango County residents and visitors. It is open seasonally April through December and includes the Oil City Visitor Center which offers more information on regional attractions and is accessible without paid admission.

National Transit Building

The National Transit Building and Annex were constructed in 1890 and 1896. The National Transit Company was the oil pipeline branch of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company and these buildings housed its offices. Currently, the buildins have offices, artist studios, and retail spaces. Enter the red brick building along Seneca Street to view a mural depicting the Oil Region's and the National Transit's histories.