Drake Oil Well
Why it's listed
Drake Well State Park, south of Titusville in Venango County, Pennsylvania, preserves the site where Edwin L. Drake drilled the world's first commercial oil well. Drake, a former railroad conductor, was hired by the Seneca Oil Company to produce oil, and he chose drilling over digging. In early June 1858 a derrick was raised over the hole, powered by a steam engine that drove a white oak battering ram. Cast iron pipe was used to keep the walls from collapsing. On August 27, 1859, the drill reached 69.5 feet and oil rose in the pipe, starting an oil boom that drew crowds to the region. The original derrick burned in October 1859 and Drake rebuilt it within a month. The Titusville area remained the nation's oil center for about 25 years afterward. The replica on the site dates from 1945 and reproduces the original tower and shed. A museum and library nearby hold exhibits and a large oil industry collection.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is significant as the location where Edwin L. Drake drilled the world's first oil well in 1859, which started the petroleum boom in the Titusville region. The original derrick burned in 1859 and was rebuilt within a month, and the region remained the nation's oil center for the following quarter century.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000695, listed November 13, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. SE of Titusville on PA 36, in Drake Well Memorial Park, Titusville |
|---|---|
| County | Venango County |
| Listed | November 13, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000695 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1859 |
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 13, 1966 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The current replica was built in 1945 on the original site, after the original structure was destroyed by fire; the park is owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.61124, -79.65829 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000695.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5305631
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.