The Oil City area’s hidden heritage is one filled with ingenuity, largesse, culture and so much more. The city’s incredible success was fueled by great wealth and exceptional talent. Much of our heritage, though, is unknown to many of us. The Oil City Heritage Society and the Oil City Library believe our city’s legacy should be shared and enjoyed. To that end, we will share our community’s stories and pictures on our Hidden Heritage blog. Stay tuned for historic as well as quirky entries that tell our history.

Support the Oil City Library Theater Restoration Project

By donating to this cause, you will be contributing to the revitalization of not just a historic theater, but an entire community. Your generous contributions will enable us to implement vital community programs that inspire & engage people of all ages, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.

Donate Now

Peaches & Parking Meters

Oil City’s unique history can come out in bits and pieces. The community can claim one-of-a-kinds,

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State Street Bridge

Efforts to build the first bridge across the Allegheny River at Oil City began in 1863 as more

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Oil City Trains

For decades, Oil City was a railroad hub for both freight trains and passenger trains. The rail

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All-America City

The City of Oil City enjoyed a time of unprecedented growth and incredibly good fortune for most of

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Join the Club

Oil City enjoyed a vibrant social atmosphere during its early heyday that yielded dozens of clubs,

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Monarch Park

One of the area’s most intriguing places was Monarch Park, a sprawling tract located midway between

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Orchestras

The City of Oil City celebrated its 150th anniversary as an incorporated city in 2021. An important

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PLEASE NOTE:

Hidden Heritage has produced 61 volumes since its inception in May of 2021. While there are still many more stories to share about Oil City’s eventful past, it is time for a brief intermission. Volume 61 will be the last to publish before Hidden Heritage takes a hiatus until further notice. We want to thank our readers for all the support & encourage you to read published volumes below, where they will remain freely available for the foreseeable future. If you’d like to purchase volumes in bulk, 4 compendiums are available at the Oil City Library. We look forward to bringing you more stories in the future!

– Judy, Kay & Natalie

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