Historic City of Pithole
In January 1865, the wildcat Frazier Well struck oil along Pennsylvania's Pithole reek, launching an oil frenzy. Four months later, Colonel A.P. Duncan and George C. Prather purchased land on Holmden Farm and laid out 500 lots for lease, founding Pithole. By September, 15,000 people lived in Pithole and the city boasted 57 hotels, 3 theaters, an infamous "red light district," a daily newspaper, the third busiest post office in the state, and more. But, Pithole City declined almost as rapidly as it grew. The oil ran dry, major fires decimated wells and the city's hastily constructed wooded buildings and new oil discoveries in other locales pulled people away. By December 1866, Pithole's population was less than 2,000. The city charter was amulled in 1877. Today, all that physically remains of Pithole City are cellar holes in the hillside meadow, but the legend continues to live on through the stories told about a historic oil boom town that vanished to ghost town in less than three years. The grounds at Historic Pithole City are open dawn to dusk year-round. There are three annual events, including the snow-celebratory Cabin Fever Party in February, Wildcatter Day in June, and ghostly Lantern Tours in October. For questions or more information contact Drake Well Museum at (814) 827-2797. For more information about the Pithole Visitor Center, check out the Pithole web page on the Drake Well Museum website.Historic Pithole City is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with Friends of Drake Well, Inc. This tour was adapted from a brochure promoted by Drake Well Museum and Park and funded in part by the Oil Region Alliance.
Klapec Trucking Company
In the early/mid 1980’s Klapec Trucking Co. was growing exponentially with all the great industry we had to work with- around us. Our Terminal at the time was overfilled and we needed more space. This is what prompted our Founder Bert Klapec to make a huge jump to find a place to build a new facility. He found where we are now in Reno, and built it over a 2-year span, there was lots dirt work needed, with filling in and leveling done to make it what it is today. He built the Shop and the Office area as well as some things he always wanted, like onsite fueling, and onsite scale, eventually the lot would be blacktopped and the building with the paint facility, truck wash, and storage area were added. From the beginning Red Cross leased some space from us for their offices. About the time we were outgrowing our office space Red Cross moved out and allowed us to use our whole building for office. Many years after the build we outgrew this facility and needed more space yet. As more space was needed, we acquired the old Kmart eyesore down the road from us, we made truck and trailer parking there to house our overflow. Once we got the trucks set, we then moved to create a state-of-the-art warehouse space, so we completely rehabbed the old Kmart building to create 83,000 Square Feet of Storage/ Industrial space in this area, which has been very much needed by local manufacturers. To this day Klapec Trucking Co. is there to support Industrial partners in our area. Whatever challenges they may face Klapec Trucking Co. is there to help along the way.
Oil Refining History
In 1879 A.L. Confer constructed a refining still in Reno, PA and it was originally called Empire Oil. The main product being produced at this time was lamp oil being distilled from crude oil. In 1928 Empire became Wolverine Empire Refining Co. The companies main product at that time became oil specialized in aviation and the company was the direct supplier to Pan - American Airways. In 1940 the company became Wolfs Head Oil and was tasked with supplying WWII flying fortresses and B29 bomber fuel and oil. In 1963 Wolfs Head was purchased by Pennzoil and eventually concluded refining processes at this site. In 1995 the holding tanks on site were cleaned and cleared by the PA DEP and all production was ceased. Packaging and shipping was still active at the site in 2002 when Shell Oil purchased the entire site.In its most recent era, Justin and Jessica Zacherl purchased the retired refinery in 2022 to use as the site of their current granite fabrication company, Creekside Granite. The company has been located at the site since 2008 and has grown in size every year. The property is under demolition currently and the tanks are being removed and the buildings that are under disrepair are being removed. Plans in the future for the site include redevelopment, historic preservation and site beautification. Many former workers have been known to stop at the site and share their memories of the property and the current owners are always willing to listen to the history of the property anytime it is offered. Reno remains home to many of the men that reported to work at the Wolfs Head Refinery for years.Much of the information provided here is derived from online historic sites, the Oil Region Alliance, the library at Venango Campus as well as first hand storytelling of the former occupants of the property. For more information, please contact Jessican Zacherl at jess.csgandmore@gmail.com.
AVC Dotter River Access
The AVC Dotter Kayak Access is more than a way to enjoy the river. The Allegheny Valley Conservancy (AVC) owns this 16.37 acre site along the Allegheny River to permanently protect the floodplain and riverine habitat as well as provide recreational access for the public. A picnic pavilion is provided, and overnight camping is allowed for both river trips and users of the Allegheny River Trail, the bike trail on the land side of the property which is also part of the regional Erie to Pittsburgh Trail.This water access provides for smaller, half-day floats to downstream boat launches or full day trips from further up-river. This section of the river is a Class I-II, B and is used for paddling and fishing. The Allegheny River Water Trail along this section is designated as a Wild & Scenic River. The property provides an access drive from a parking area for outfitters and individuals to drive down the hill and load or unload kayaks. They must then park in the parking area provided by the land trail organization at the top. River users then can take their watercraft further down the hill to the river on the stone path.This site connects the public to the stewardship of the river and the surrounding riparian habitat. As trail users experience the property and become aware of the ownership by AVC, they will learn that the property is protected primarily for the conservation value of the riparian habitat. They will also become aware of the fact that conservation and use of the land can go hand-in-hand.The Allegheny Valley Conservancy (AVC) is a 501(c)3, volunteer non-profit established in 2002 with the mission “to promote good land use through the protection, conservation and management of the open-space, forested, agricultural, historic, natural, ecologically significant, environmentally sensitive, biologically diverse and scenic resources of the Allegheny River and French Creek watersheds” in northwestern Pennsylvania. Good land use is essential to the need for clean air, clean water, and livable communities.Outdoor recreation is growing as an important economic driver as well as community development initiative. AVC provides access to the regional outdoor amenities and makes them inviting to local residents and visitors. For more information, please email avcinfo@windstream.net.
Pleasantville
The Borough of Pleasantville was founded by Aaron Benedict in 1821 and incorporated in 1850. Within this charming village, you will find historic churches such as the notable Greek Revival style Free Methodist Church, formally known as Allegheny Baptist Church (420 West Main Street). Individually listed on the National Register, this church was built by Manley Colton Beebe in 1847-1849. You will also find Victorian residences in a variety of styles, such as those along Chestnut Street. Built by Manley Colton Beebe's architect grandson, of the same name, the Pleasantville Municipal Building (1935) is an excellent example of a Great Depression-era federal public works project (funded by either the WPA, the PWA, or the Federal Emergency Relief Administration). Constructed of timber with an exterior of rubble fieldstone veneer, the large archway doorways (now converted to windows and surrounds) indicate that this building once housed the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department.
Lakeshore Tunnel
Historic Monarch Park
Although it closed more than 70 years ago, Monarch Park continues to pique the imagination of those too young to have experienced it and evoke vivid memories of shared festivities for those who did. As the best possible place for any kind of summer gathering, it probably touched more lives than any other spot in the area. It was the favored spot, not only because of its facilities, but because of the ease of getting there.The Park was first developed by John Smithman of Oil City as a way of attracting more passengers for his Oil City Railway Company. This is an excerpt from a piece wrritten by Bill Bowen of Oil City and expanded in 2009 by William L. Passauer. The original article was published in the Venango County 2000: The Changing Scene, Vol. I and was used by Bill during his many presentations about Monarch Park. For more information, visit OilCityPA.net.
Oil Creek State Park
Oil Creek State Park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, biking, fishing, and cross-country skiing. The cross-country ski area features its own parking lot, warming hut, and several trails ranging in difficulty. Visit the Oil Creek State Park website for more information.
Two Mile Run County Park
Consisting of 2,695 acres of forest and fields, plus the 144-acre Justice Lake, Two Mile offers swimming at Crosby Bearch, lake fishing (a variety of warm and cold species), boating, kayaking, hiking, and an extensive network of trails and variety of campsites. For more information, visit the County park website.
Pennzoil Refining Co.
McClintock Well #1
Drilled two years after the Drake Well in August of 1861 by Brewer, Watson and Company, who leased the land on the Hamilton McClintock Farm, the McClintock Well #1 is the oldest continuously producing oil well in the world, Producing oil for more than 150 years, this well is still pumped by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, who has owned it since 2000. You can buy bottles of oil from this well at the Drake Well Museum. The McClintock Well site also serves as a trailhead for the McClintock Trail. For more information, check out the Historical Marker Database listing. Source: Oil Region National Heritage Area Driving Tour
Coal Oil Johnny's
Relocated to this location from across the creek, this home features interpretive panels detailing the travels of the man who spent his entire oil fortune in a year. Coal Oil Johnny the multi-millionaire was born John Washington Steel, a humble farm boy. Once oil was found on his property, he amassed a fortune of over $8 million by modern reckoning, spending all of it in less than one year as he earned the moniker and became a byword for the eccentricities of the wealthy. To schoedule a tour of the house, contact the Oil Region Alliance. Check out the Legend of Coal Oil Johnny for more information.
