Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania; History of Venango County Pennsylvania

1843. The history of Venango County, Pennsylvania, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this NEW 38 Page Booklet, reprinted primarily from four hard-to-find vintage books. The spiral-bound booklet is printed one-sided on 60# paper, with the print size adjusted to fit 8 1/2 x 11 paper. A vinyl sheet protects the front cover. Source books include: Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania (1843) by Sherman Day; An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1876) by William Egle, M.D.; Pennsylvania, a Guide to the Keystone State compiled by WPA writers; and My Pennsylvania, a 1946 project of the Bureau of Publications, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Some Information may be repeated in various excerpts, but often with a different slant or with additional details.) The communities mentioned include: Cherry Tree, Clintonville, Cooperstown, Cranberry, Dempseytown, Emlenton, Franklin, Kaneville, Oil City, Petroleum Centre, Pit Hole City, Pleasantville, Plumer, Polk, Reno, Rouseville, Siverleyville, Sunville, Utica, and Venango City. The Day and Egle histories cover the early years, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes relating to sightseeing possibilities. The recently added excerpt from the fourth book includes a 1940s map of the county, several photos and a concise update of the county's progress as it looked shortly after World War II. Among the many and diverse subjects in the booklet are: Natural Curiosities, like Oil Creek and “the Indian God” Rock; Graves of Unknown Soldiers and Indians; Early Settlers; Hidden Treasure and an Early Silver Mine; the Story of Ross, the Moncey Chief who massacred children and murdered his partner; the French and Indian War; Fortresses, including Fort Franklin, Fort Venango and Fort Machault; the Seneca’s Reception for the Rev. David Zeisberger, Moravian Missionary, at Goshgoshunk; Washington’s Visit and Excerpts from his Journal; Settlers under the Act of 1792; Oil, the county’s “great source of wealth”; Oil Well Fire Disaster in 1861; Railroads; Louis Celeron’s Leaden Plates; War of 1812; Early Courts and Jails; Pennzoil Refinery; and other interesting bits of history and trivia. ILLUSTRATIONS include The Indian God Rock(2 views); Figures on the Rock (2 drawings); Public Square in Franklin; Liberty Street in Franklin in 1876; Col. Drake’s Pioneer Oil Well; Plans of the French and English Forts; Cable Group City Derricks, Pleasantville. . . Limited Edition Reprint. Spiral/Comb . New/No Jacket. 8.5" x 11". Private Press.