Historic Map - Titusville, PA - 1871

View of Titusville, Crawford County, P.A., 1871 / drawn & published by Albert Ruger.

This bird’s-eye view print of Titusville, Pennsylvania, looking north east, was drawn and published by Albert Ruger in 1871. Titusville was established along Oil Creek in the early 1800's by Jonathan Titus. Logging of the forests along the creek began in the 1820's with timber being floated downstream during spring freshets. The forests of hemlock and pine produced desirable lumber that was shipped to Pittsburgh and other points.

Titusville remained an active trade town for lumber, salt, flour and other items until the mid-1800's when oil was discovered throughout the hills that surround it. From that point on Titusville prospered with the industry, as speculators and miners poured into town. Titusville was a huge supply center for mining activities.

Roberts Torpedo Factory was established in 1866 as W. B. and E. A. L. Roberts began manufacturing nitro-glycerin housed in shells for use in oil well blasting. Several oil refineries were built at Titusville making it a major petroleum commercial hub.

The colorful map from 1871 includes elm and maple lined streets, bridges, buildings and railroad route. Shown is the City of Titusville cartouche. Featured are inset illustrations of the Parshall Hotel & Opera House and Public School.

Features numbered & lettered references to the following locations:

1. Public School.
2. Soldiers’ Orphan School.
3. Parshall Hotel & Opera House.
4. Gas Works.
5. O. C. & A. R. R. Depot.
6. U. & T. R. R. Depot.
7. Cemetery.
8. Baptist Church.
9. Episcopal Church.
10. 1Methodist Church.
11. Presbyterian Church.
12. Hebrew Church.
13. R. Catholic Church.
14. Universalist Church.
15. Lutheran Church.

1. Titusville Female Seminary.
2. Bryan & Dillingham Machine Shop.
3. Gibs & Russell Machine Shop.
4. Roberts & Co. Torpedo Mfy.