Start of the Oil Industry

 April 5, 2025

When I think of the oil industry, I tend to think of places like Texas and Oklahoma. However, the oil industry had its humble beginnings in Pennsylvania in the 1850's. Whale oil had become expensive, and the search for an alternative oil for lamps was underway. 

Samuel Kier distilled kerosene from crude oil. Kerosene was much more stable than other "burning fluids" attempts for lighting lamps. Zoom in on the tombstone in the photo below to get a glimpse why kerosene was viewed favorably.

So the question was whether you could find and produce enough crude oil to make kerosene for oil lamps. The answer was a resounding yes as Edwin Drake discovered near Titusville in 1859.

Thank you Uncle Dave for the suggestion to stop here. 

Think the family was a little bitter?

The first well

Replica of well housing

Where Are We Going Next?  

Covered Bridges and a Coffee Pot

 April 1 - 2, 2025

US Highway 30, the Lincoln Highway, was the first transcontinental highway. Our stop in Bedford, PA, allowed us a glimpse of the past. From kitschy architecture to art deco gasoline stations, the county has a number of sites along the highway noted in its travel guide. We glimpsed a few on the way to the Flight 93 Memorial.

The county is also home to a number of covered bridges. A self-guided auto tour will take you to twelve of them. 

The pioneer village was still closed when we were there. You see how crowded we were at the campground. Ha! It's part of the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in shoulder seasons.

Bowser Osterburg Covered Bridge

Where Are We Going Next?