Muddy Creek Oil Well

Did you know that the American petroleum industry began in western Pennsylvania?

Moraine State Park used to be the site of many oil wells, which produced a superior quality of oil. The demand declined considerably when people figured out how to refine lower quality oil from other areas that was cheaper to extract.  All the oil wells at Moraine, except one, were eventually capped, and Lake Arthur created above them. The one that remains, the Muddy Creek Oil Well, was left for the purpose of historical preservation and education. The good folks at the Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission volunteer monthly during the summer to demonstrate the oil well for visitors. They will have one more demonstration thhis year, on October 13, 11AM-5PM. 

I went up with my son to see what we could see. If you head to the Old 422 Boat Ramp (just past the park office at 195 Park Rd. in Prospect) and just keep going down Park Rd., you will see it on your right. There is a small museum building in addition to the restored well. It's definitely worth seeing!

The power unit which runs the rods that in turn pump the wells.

The Bessemer gas engine that is the heart of the operation.

"The green dots on this map show the locations of oil wells that were in the Muddy Creek Oil Field. These were plugged and capped before construction of Lake Arthur."