Monarch Park
0104, 2022

Monarch Park

…Monarch Park was on May 31, 1928. The park was briefly leased to a private developer but operations were soon shut down and the property put up for sale. One…

East End Redevelopment
3103, 2023

East End Redevelopment

…Front and East First streets. There would be 58 structures, including homes and businesses, demolished and the relocation of almost 100 families and 14 businesses. The Oil City Fire Department’s…

Utilities
2107, 2023

Utilities

…when it merged with Penelec, a company organized in 1919 through the merger of several smaller electric companies. Penelec chose Oil City as its northern tier division headquarters and built…

100 Years of YWCA
1202, 2024

100 Years of YWCA

…Dickinson College, to “organize a strong girls organization” in the city. The Federation chose the existing but tentative Hi-Tri Girls Reserves organization in Oil City to be the forerunner for…

Library Hall
2306, 2023

Library Hall

…most intriguing and elaborate spaces, though, has been empty and rather forlorn since the mid-1950s: Library Hall. A group of Oil City residents organized the Petroleum Institute’s Lyceum in 1864…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions If your question is not addressed below, please reach out to us by email at info@oilregionlibraries.org, or contact your local ORLA branch. How do I register for…

Main Street
1404, 2023

Main Street

…world-famous industries as well as quirky elements that ranged from tunnel-boring to hotels and automobile sales. The Third Ward claimed the only hotel in the world that featured all front…

Believe It or Not
0701, 2022

Believe It or Not

…1973. On that day, more than 5,000 sandwiches were sold at the new local eatery. While the sale numbers didn’t set a McDonald’s record, the crowd size did. A McDonald’s…

Early Theaters
2207, 2022

Early Theaters

…done by L.O. Bouquin of Oil City. 1910 through 1925 Oil City directories lists these downtown theaters, all on Seneca Street: Majestic, Temple, Theatorium, Princess, Venango, Cameo, New Lyric, Hippodrome,…

Old Money
2909, 2023

Old Money

…set up a small refinery at McClintockville near Rouseville. They prospered, making $30,000 in the first year. The operation went well until the price of crude oil skyrocketed and supplies…