In 1846, Elijah Hyde and his sons came to the area and bought Titus Mills and began the town’s first store. While the name of the area was first Oil Creek Borough, it was later changed to Hydetown.

One of Hydetown's most well-known residents was Sam Ridgway, the son of Charles and Frances Titus Ridgway. His mother, Frances, was the daughter of founder Peter Titus.

Sam Ridgway started the Ridgway Sanitarium in 1882, located on the south side of Route 408/Main Street. The large building was a place for curing ailments and many wealthy guests visited the sanitarium.

After Sam’s death, the sanitarium burned down in 1903.

In the early 1900s, Hydetown boasted train and trolley service to Titusville, Pleasantville, and Tryonville. It also featured three churches, two of which still hold services today.