Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

Suppose you were starting a new business.  One that was different than anything done before.  And it was in a remote part of the country.  You needed to send someone to inspect the oil springs on your property and make a report on where to best start this business.  You are thrifty.  In 1859 this person would have to be a male.

You knew Edwin L. Drake, and you knew he could travel the railroad free of charge as a retired conductor, so you hire him.  But there was a problem.  He had an undistinguished background.  He was a man with common school education who had held various jobs in different parts of the country.  You want this man to impress the people of Titusville.

Not a problem.  One of the investors of his employer, the Seneca Oil Company (formerly Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company) addressed all his correspondence to "Colonel" Edwin L. Drake.  By placing the title of "colonel" in front of Drake's name, it commanded instant respect.  Drake had never been an officer, had not even been in the military.  But the title stuck and has been used ever since.

And Drake did distinguish himself.  He was resourceful and persistent.  He devised the technology to successfully drill for oil, ushering in a new industry - the petroleum industry.

Nearly 150 years later, the principle behind his drilling process is still used by many companies.  His ability to persevere and innovate has led us to our year of celebration!

Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

One of the many ingredients of a celebration is a fabulous parade.  And there will be a fabulous parade on Aug. 29.  This won't be just any parade.  This parade is 150 years in the making. 

We are celebrating the first commercially drilled oil well.  And while it may seem like it's a long way off, much is already being done.  Not only are we attracting bands, floats and marching units, but other crowd favorites as well.  That is why it is very exciting that the Zem Zem/Shriner's have designated Titusville Oil 150 as a "point parade".  This is wonderful news.  We are very fortunate to have nearly all of their 19 different parade units coming to Titusville.  Included will be their mini-model T's, go-karts, trikes, marching units, clowns and pipe and drum corp., among others.  Their talent and expertise is always a thrill. 

Titusville residents are known for planting their chairs the day before a parade to be sure they have one of the best seats to see all the action up close.  For this parade, chairs may be a luxury, as many places will be standing room only. 

The route is in place.  Plans are for the parade to start at Kerr Street, and then turn on to Main Street.  It will travel up Main Street until it reaches Second Street where it will then turn onto Spruce Street.  It will then travel down Spruce Street until it reaches the end oat Brown Street. 

A parade of this size is a finely orchestrated event; the details are endless, the volunteers many.  But one thing is for sure, a good time will be had by all.  And that is what celebrating is all about.

Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

As planning continues, one of the unique concerns for our Titusville Oil 150 celebration is accommodations.  For most of the events being planned, this may not be an issue.  But for the main week of the celebration - Aug. 23-29 - accommodations may be hard to come by. 

Our hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds in the area may not be able to accommodate everyone who joins Titusville in its celebration.  So, an Accommodations Committee was formed and has been meeting regularly since spring.  Their goal: To have 40 or more homes available for home-stay guests.  People will be able to learn of these available accommodations through the Titusville Oil 150 Web site, titusvilleoil150.org. 

Residents of Titusville (or close by), who are able to open their homes for one or more nights to out-of-town visitors are needed.  All you need is a guest room and a bath that will not be occupied by your family.  Each homeowner would individualize the extent of the accommodation they are offering, such as what fee to charge, will breakfast be offered, will smoking or pets be allowed, is your home handicap accessible.  It's a way to share Titusville and be a part of providing for the comfort of our visitors - a key ingredient to our celebration. 

If you think you could help by committing to provide for a home-stay, or if you would like more information on what will certainly be a fun experience for all involved, contact Judy Shields, chairperson, at 827-6030.

Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

As you travel east past Scheide Park in Titusville these days, you will notice a large sign depicting the logo for the region's Oil 150 celebration.  This beautiful sign came to be through the efforts of Take Pride in Titusville and Oil Region Alliance/Oil 150. 

It was originally conceived to be part of the Holiday at Burgess lights display.  But during this special year, it has already been on display for several months in the park and was even at Drake Well for a few days.  In November it will be moved to join the rest of the light displays for Holiday at Burgess. 

This sign is the result of planning and good old-fashioned labor.  One of the Take Pride members and a friend, who is a professional welder, viewed the Oil 150 logo on a CAD and decided on a size.  As funding was needed to create the sign, a grant proposal was presented to the ORA and Oil 150.  The grant was approved and the sign was commissioned.  When the Oil 150 frame arrived, it was assembled, painted, wired and then the lights were put on.  After seeing the completed sign, the ORA commissioned a second sign to be made and displayed throughout the Oil City area. 

Day or night, this beautiful sign is a reminder of our region's heritage.  In January, the sign will be moved to the front lawn of Carter Orthopedics on West Spring Street, where it can be viewed by all who enter Titusville from the north.  From there it will be moved to another prominent location as a continuous reminder of this year-long celebration.  Remember to look to The Herald for continuing information on the many aspects of Titusville Oil 150.

Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

With today's fast-paced lifestyle, it's only fitting that a celebration as big as OIL 150 should have its own Web site.  Like The Herald's Web site, it's another place where our friends across the country can go to get current information on all the activities being planned for OIL 150. 

This Web site, titusvilleoil150.org, is now up and running thanks to the time and effort of several key volunteers.  The site will include articles, events, directions, times, committee information, and audio and video interviews.  As the site grows, pictures of items that can be purchased to help raise funds needed for the celebration will be available.  Locally, many are already available. 

The newest item you can purchase is a logo sweatshirt - definitely an attractive way to show your support.  As plans from the various committees' progress, information will continue to appear in this column in The Herald.  Check these articles and the Web site, and take an active role in our celebration of "the valley that changed the world"!