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OTHER FAMILIES (o_f) of McDonald PA
and surrounding areas
Washington County PA
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Businesses and Industries
in McDonald PA
Natural Resources: Oil Derricks
McDonald PA Oil Companies
Historic McDonald PA ca.1891
during the oil excitement
From the Record-Outlook newspaper, 9-27-1956, page unknown:
Caption Title Reads: McDonald [PA] in the Days of the Oil
Excitement
Caption reads: "The above picture will give younger folk
some idea of what McDonald [PA] looked like during the oil
excitement. Derricks may be seen in the background and the large
number seen in that small area gives evidence of the great number which
dotted the terrain hereabouts. The individuals in the picture are
unknown with the exception of the late August Valentour, who is shown at
the extreme right."
Description written by webmaster: On the far left is a man in a dark
suit, white shirt & tie, and hat; the picture is too dark to see his
face and features.
Next is a man standing between two mostly white horses with brown
mane and legs (or the legs are dirty halfway up? ;-) The horses
appear only to be haltered but not equipped or hooked to a wagon.
However the wheel of a wagon can be seen behind them.
Two young girls about 8-14 years of age are in the center of the
picture, dressed in dark skirts that hit just above the ankle. The upper
body on both is dressed in tailored, fitted jackets with collars;
blouses can barely be seen at the neckline. Both girls are wearing
hats common to Sunday dress.
To the rear and right of the girls stand 3 men, and the center man
has both of his arms extended to the other men's shoulders. The man at
the far left is returning the gesture to the center man's shoulder, but
Mr. August Valentour on the right has his arms down at his sides, his
left hand in front of his body as if he might be holding something small
in his hand. Mr. August Valentour is the only one who is wearing a
long top coat that extends below his knees.
The background consists of two buildings. The one on the right has a
lower section where wagons are backed into the building, the rails of
the wagon sticking up into the air. Nothing can be seen of the
building on the left and to the rear of the gathering. Either
building could be large enough to include stables for the horses.
At the far back corner of the building on the right is an oil derrick
that rises to the same height as the building's roof
Between the buildings, in the distance, one sees the houses of
McDonald PA in Washington County PA. At least 4 other tall oil
derricks can be seen in the distance of the small area shown of the
city.
At one time, McDonald PA (and Washington Co PA) were populated with
oil derricks; in some areas every farm and residence had at least one or
more oil wells. Fortunes were made and lost in the late 1800s to
early 1900s. No other area except Oil City PA had such natural
wealth. Workers were brought in from overseas to sink the wells
and build derricks, and to manage the high daily output of
barrels. Barrel counts were reported daily in local
newspapers.
This page was added Sept 1, 2006.
* See Town-Talk
section for more information on the history of McDonald Pa.*
* See Uptown-Landmarks
s2 for Washington Park. Submit your memories or pictures of the Washington
Park, or other parks in Washington County PA. If you'd like to share
your family reunion photos, please write to us!
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