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STATE HISTORICAL MARKERS
~ VENANGO COUNTY ~

OIL WELL SUPPLY COMPANYThis marker was erected Oct 10, 1997 and is located on East Front Street (US 62) and East First Street in Oil City.

Founded nearby in 1878, it was a leading manufacturer of oil well machinery and supplies, serving the oil industry across the globe. By the early 1900s, employment peaked at 2,000. In 1930 it became a subsidiary of U.S. Steel.




John Eaton came to the oil region in the early 1860s as an employee of the Joseph Nason Company. About 1867 he started a small company to sell equipment for the oil fields. He was in partnership and the company expanded and was known as the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company. By 1877 they had numerous stores at various locations, including Pittsburgh and Bradford, and in 1878 the name was changed to Oil Well Supply Company, Limited. John Eaton was President, E. T. Howes, Treasurer and Kenton Chickering was Secretary. The plant was closed in 1982.

Donated by Penny Haylett Minnick
pictures Penny Haylett Minnick