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STATE HISTORICAL MARKERS
~ VENANGO COUNTY ~

PITHOLE CITY - Marker erected July 26, 1966 and located on SR 1006.

Site of oil-boom town of 15,000. Established in 1865, a ghost town by 1868. Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Speculators took advantage of the stampede to Pithole to locate their business ventures in the town. The Astor House, a hotel accommodating 60 guests was put together in a single day. Within a week, business establishments were built up on two streets. The Metropolitan Block on Holmden Street housed a hotel, theater and hardware store and more. The Danforth House could house 140 guests. Among other hotels were the United States, Patchen ( Wm. Patchen sold the structure to George K. Chase and it was renamed the Chase), Astor, Hubbs, Rochester, Bonta House, Duncan and Morey. Brothels, banks and saloons were in abundance in this community. Charles G. Wicker, Lee M. Morton and Frank Spare joined forces and published the Pithole Daily Record… the first issue coming off the press on September 25, 1865.

Donated by Penny Haylett Minnick
pictures Penny Haylett Minnick