McDonald Oil Field
McDonald, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Oil was first struck here in 1890, and in 1891 and 1892 the field yielded the highest levels of oil in the world. Second only in Pa. history to the Bradford Oil Field in both size and production, it was instrumental in achieving the state's highest ever annual oil output in 1891, 31,424,000 barrels. The wells achieving Pennsylvania's highest daily oil production rates, Mevey No. 1 and Mathews No. 1, were located within three miles of here.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
When oil was struck here in 1890, the McDonald field roared to life, and by 1891 and 1892 it was pumping more oil than anywhere else on earth. It stood second only to the famed Bradford field in Pennsylvania's history, and helped drive the state to its all-time record output of more than 31 million barrels in 1891. Nearby gushers like the Mevey No. 1 and Mathews No. 1 set the state's highest daily production rates.
Why it matters
Pennsylvania was the cradle of the world's petroleum industry, and fields like McDonald fueled the energy boom that would reshape American transportation, industry, and daily life.
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