The Phillips and Woodford Wells on Tarr Farm, north of Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1873.

Boomtown Legacy

Ryan Hilton, Engineer

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    The Oil Well That Observed the Sabbath (Apr. 11, 1861)

    The Oil Well That Observed the Sabbath (Apr. 11, 1861)

    Apr 11, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in This Day in Oil History

    In 1861, a Pennsylvania oil well shocked drillers by ceasing flow every Sunday. Coincidence — or a divine message?

    Read more

  • This Day in Oil History
    Fire Destroys Lake Shore Block in Petroleum Centre (Apr. 7, 1869)

    Fire Destroys Lake Shore Block in Petroleum Centre (Apr. 7, 1869)

    Apr 8, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in This Day in Oil History

    A fire on April 7, 1869, destroyed the Lake Shore House and six other buildings in Petroleum Centre, PA, leaving many homeless. Read the original report.

    Read more

  • This Day in Oil History
    Oil Well Disputes Disrupt Production (Apr. 7, 1864)

    Oil Well Disputes Disrupt Production (Apr. 7, 1864)

    Apr 7, 2025

    by

    Ryan Hilton

    —

    in This Day in Oil History

    Oil flow on the Tarr and Blood Farms stalls in 1864 as neighboring wells interfere with each other. Tensions rise, threatening local production.

    Read more

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Boomtown Legacy

Blogging about 19th-century oil fever in Pennsylvania.


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About the author

I’m Ryan Hilton, a petroleum engineer with Chevron.

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