Tourism

We have something to offer everyone and are just waiting your arrival! Leave your worries behind and indulge in the natural beauty, historic structures and landmarks, Indian heritage, historic forts, festivals and recreational opportunities of the Oil Heritage Region.

Historic Sites

Drake Well Museum

202 Museum Lane, Titusville PA
(1.25 miles off Rt. 8 South of Titusville)
814.827.2797
www.drakewell.org

Drake Well Museum is the site where, in 1859, the world's first commercial oil well was drilled. See operating oil equipment displays and learn the history of this valley's "oil excitement" of the 19th century.


Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Office: 7 Elm Street, Oil City
Main Depot: 409 South Perry Street, Titusville
814.676.1733
www.octrr.org

All aboard for a trip on a vintage train through the valley that changed the world. Enjoy the scenery along Oil Creek while listening to tales of the oil boom that once swept this valley and marked the beginning of the world's oil industry. Murder Mystery Dinners are another great way to experience the OC&T.

Coal Oil Johnny House
Coal Oil Johnny (John Washington Steele - 1843-1921) was one of the most colorful figures of the oil boom days who at one time earned between $2,000 and $3,000 a day from his wells. As he quickly began spending, his fortune disappeared. His house, though, is still standing at Rynd Farm in Oil Creek State Park, just off Route 8, north of Rouseville.

McClintock Well #1
PA 8 South of Rouseville, PA
This is the oldest well in the world that is still producing oil at its original depth. Souvenir bottles of crude oil from McClintock Well #1 are available at the Drake Well Museum, outside Titusville.

Oil Creek State Park
Oil Creek State Park is a natural wonderland of 7,245 acres. The park adjoins Drake Well Museum and the city of Titusville. Its southern border is four miles north of Oil City. The park is accessible from Route 8 and Route 227.

305 State Park Road, Oil City, PA
814.676.5915
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/oilcreek.aspx

National Transit Building
The historic National Transit Building houses the Transit Fine Art Gallery and the NationalTransit Art Studios, 24 artists working in a variety of mediums from jewelry to painting to photography. They hold Open Studio events monthly on Second Saturdays from noon to 5:00 pm. For more information, people may call 814-676-5303 or visit www.artsoilcity.com.

206 Seneca Street
Oil City, PA 16301
814.678.0007

Museums

Drake Well Museum
202 Museum Lane, Titusville PA
(1.25 miles off Rt. 8 South of Titusville)
814.827.2797
www.drakewell.org

Drake Well Museum is the site where, in 1859, the world's first commercial oil well was drilled. See operating oil equipment displays and learn the history of this valley's "oil excitement" of the 19th century.

DeBence Antique Music World

1261 Liberty Street, Franklin
814.432.8350
www.debencemusicworld.com

This unique collection of over 100 old-fashioned automated musical instruments is known as the "see and hear" museum. Just try to keep your toes from tapping.

Pumping Jack Museum & Emlenton Visitor Center
511 Hill Street, Crawford Center
Emlenton, PA 16373 exit 42 or 45 on I-80
724.867.2349
www.pumpingjack.org

The museum features permanent and changing exhibits using artifacts from the museum’s collection of records, photographs and memorabilia of the Emlenton area. The Visitor Center in the hallway features a pictorial and written exhibit of the Emlenton area from its beginnings to the present.

Tyred Wheels Museum
1164 Russell Corners Road, Pleasantville, PA
2.25 miles off Rt. 227 between Pleasantville and Plumer
814.676.0756

This museum features 25 antique cars and airplanes as well as over 5000 miniature vehicles and antique toys. You may even get to ride in an antique car! Open Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 1-5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry
270 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA
814.676.2007

www.venangomuseum.org
e-mail: venangomuseum@venangomuseum.org
The history of Venango County comes alive through the "Black Gold or Black Magic?" exhibit. Learn about the various cultures that have inhabited this land, the industries that have shaped our economy, and the natural resources that this area provides.

Religious Sites

St. John's Episcopal Church
1141 Buffalo Street, Franklin, PA
814.432.5161

Tiffany Studios created all of the church windows, including the magnificent Rose Favrl Window, 8 sets of triple lancet windows in the nave and the four disciples with the Risen Christ in the sanctuary. These marvelous artworks have been completely cleaned and restored. Call ahead for a tour by one of the very knowledgeable church members.

Woodlawn Cemetery
892 West Spring St.
Titusville, PA 16354-1320
Phone: 814.827.3422

Located just off Route 8, north of Titusville, this well-maintained cemetery is the final resting spot for Edwin Drake, Laura Drake, Ida Tarbell and many oil families and prior residents of Titusville. As you enter through the main gates of this cemetery, the Drake Memorial is directly in front of you. Woodlawn Cemetery is open dawn to dusk.

Theater & Arts

Barrow Civic-Theater
1223 Liberty Street
Franklin, PA 16323
814-432-5196 or 800-537-7769
www.barrowtheatre.com

Originally built as a vaudeville house in 1913, destroyed by fire in 1944, rebuilt as a movie theatre which closed in 1971. In 1993 after nearly $2 million in renovations, the theatre opened as a new state-of-the-art performing arts center.

The main theatre seats 497 and the Little Theatre seats 100. The productions held at the Barrow range from the musicals and dramatic works of the Franklin Civic Operetta Association to a variety of other concert and theatrical events aimed at audiences from youth to adult.

The Latonia
1 East First Street
Oil City, PA 16301
814-673-8400

The Latonia operated as a Theatre from 1929 to 1969. It is a one of a kind building with an art deco façade, a wonderful history and a new purpose. Though altered since closing as a theatre, it still houses one of the largest chandelier’s in the country centered in a whisper dome ceiling that is a musician’s dream! Join us as we uncover all that this gem of the Oil Region contains.

The Latonia has space available for meetings and conferences.