Showing posts with label Pa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pa. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

How a PA Boom Town with an Unlikely Name Gave Rise to the Petroleum Industry

This blog entry has nothing whatsoever to do with cheese plates, nor room service--quite the opposite. Yet it's a story I felt like sharing due to its interesting backstory and it seemed easiest this way. So here it is, shoehorned in. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.

When my husband and I first learned of Pithole, we got quite the laugh and contemplated why a town would have such a name. Might it be Spanish? Pronounced Pit-hole-aay? No, we were told, there was no putting lipstick on that moniker, but we can't say we didn't try to fancy it up. And yes, it does indeed rhyme with another word that about sums it up.

Deeper research revealed that the origin of the name is a bit murky, not unlike the streets of that place located in between Pleasantville (once you emerge from Pithole I suppose) and Plumer in Venango County, Pennsylvania. There are two schools of thought here: it was named thusly due to the sulfur gases that wafted up through the holes between the rocks near a local creek. This led some to speculate that it was a portal to hell. Another hypothesis is that the name was derived from the excavations that took place when drilling for oil.

One thing’s for sure, the town lived up to its name, or down rather. You could say that the area attracted some of society's worst and became a haven for those with only the strongest stomachs and the most rugged constitutions.

How It Began

The City of Pithole, courtesy of the Drake Museum and Parks Collection

Pithole City began on the Thomas Holmden farm in Venango County in 1865 when two speculators, named Frazier and Faulkner, leased 65 acres of farmland hoping that there’d be gold in them thar hills, liquid gold, so to speak. It stood to reason, they figured, since nearby Oil Creek Valley was revealed to be rich with it. So, using a divining tool with a witch hazel twig, (it’s a Pennsylvania thing), they set off to drill. Well, their efforts paid off handsomely and pretty soon people from all parts of the country we’re flocking to the area to get rich quick. It seemed everyone and his brother wanted a piece of the action.

The City of Pithole photographed from the flats by Pithole Creek looking up towards the city (photo courtesy of the Drake Museum and Parks Collection)

The land was leased to speculators at $3K per half acre, a whopping sum in 1865. Because these speculators didn’t own the land, they’d erect makeshift wooden structures for living and drilling there. One two-story hotel built with astonishing rapidity was the Astor Hotel, which went up in one day.

Soon the city was home to 15,000 residents, 57 hotels and numerous brothels and bars. It seems as if those who had taken up residence there were also patrons of the arts. Never let it be said that those residents lacked class! In no time they had constructed theaters and hired actors. The city also established a hometown newspaper and a post office which was said to be the third-busiest in Pennsylvania.

People congratulated each other on the swiftness with which they acted to erect structures to accommodate their needs, but it turned out that the builders were short-sighted. Pennsylvania winters in the buildings were brutal, with gusts of air blowing through the hastily made log cabin structures.

Forget the Tussie-Mussies—Send Some Smelling Salts Over Here

According to Susan Hutchison Tassin in her book titled “Pennsylvania Ghost Towns,” the place literally reeked—reeked plus ultra, stunk to the high heavens—you get the idea. And water was hard to come by. Those who did manage to procure some were charged 10 cents a cup and then one couldn't guarantee it wouldn't be oily.

Shopkeepers, hoteliers, residents all pitched their garbage and chamber pots right into the streets. Those who had to cross said streets would remove their shoes and socks and then dunk them into a large vat of water provided by the business people around the city. The poor Pithole mules were flogged when they couldn’t keep up dragging barrels of heavy oil around and most were bald from the neck down due to the sludge that damaged the capillaries to the skin. When they finally chose death over pain, they were dragged to the edge of town and unceremoniously dumped. According to Tassin, the life expectancy of the poor creatures was but a few months. Because of the maltreatment, they ran out of beasts of burden, but the enablers just shipped them more, bringing mules in from Ohio and New York.

The Wild, Wild West

As time went on, the city became like the Wild West. According to reports, there were shootouts, murders and riots. One brothel felt the need to “advertise” and the girls would ride naked down the streets at night in a unique marketing campaign.

By 1866, Pithole City denizens had realized it was time to move on after wells dried up and a series of fires took on a life of their own with so much kindling in the form of shacks around. That was the death knell for the area and the end of the liquid gold rush that gave birth to a town which lasted a mere 500 days.

Today’s Pithole

When my husband and I visited a few years’ ago, there really wasn’t much to see. There was a small visitor’s center that displays photos of Pithole City, but it was closed when we visited. I later learned that the Visitor Center is open to the public from May 31 through August 31 on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For those who are interested in seeing old pictures of Pithole City during its heyday, there’s also the Drake Well Museum and Park located in nearby Titusville Pa. The museum opened in 1934 and pays tribute to the area’s petroleum industry, so visitors will be able to see even more photos of Pithole during its rough-and-tumble, short-lived heyday. The museum's 240-acre site features a replica of Edwin L. Drake’s engine house built around the National Historic Landmark well, along with operating oil field machinery. Guest will also be able to browse among 12,000 square foot of interior exhibits and view the largest artifact and archival collection focused on the birth of the modern petroleum industry.

Drake Well Visitors Center
Photos courtesy of Drake Well Museum and Park

The Drake Well building 

Drake Engine House

We ended up with one, lone picture of what used to be Pithole City, a photo which fails to reveal the state of the area all those years’ ago.

Today's Pithole.


Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Seeing the Sights in Hawley

Hawley, Pennsylvania isn't a place that springs to mind when contemplating the Poconos, nonetheless it is worth a visit if you're headed that way. 

The small borough is situated at the northernmost end of Lake Wallenpupack in Wayne County and was founded in 1827 by Irad Hawley, the president of the Pennsylvania Coal Company during the days when coal was king.

My husband and I visited a few weeks ago for a short two-day getaway to enjoy the beauty of the area, from the waterfalls at the Ledges Hotel, to the art at the repurposed silk mill and the scenery at Lake Wallenpaupak.

Accommodations

The Settler's Inn, built in 1927
One of the first things you'll want to do while contemplating visiting the area is to select a place to stay. I can recommend both the Settlers Inn and the Ledges Hotel, both of which are conveniently located within minutes of various attractions.

Built in the 1920s as an Arts and Crafts Lodge, the Settlers Inn is situated on six acres of land surrounded by gardens and bordering the Lackawaxen River. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the award-winning, chef-owned farm-to-table restaurant and during the warmer months guests can grab a drink at a small bar around the corner from the check-in desk before strolling outside on the expansive deck. Once there, they can relax on the comfy chairs and take in a view of the elaborately landscaped grounds.

Later, guests can retire to their rooms and enjoy other amenities like jacuzzi tubs, microfiber robes, fireplaces and free internet.

A nearby sister property to the Settlers Inn is the newer Ledges Hotel, which features a stunning view of the river gorge falls, which guests can admire from their perch at the onsite bar and bistro known as "Glass."

Shots of the River Gorge Falls taken from the Ledges restaurant "Glass."

Guests relax at the bar inside "Glass."

Comfortably appointed rooms at Ledges feature local artwork and a sitting room in the main area also provides a view of the falls.

The sitting area also provides views of the falls.
Art, Retail and More
The Hawley Silk Mill is the largest bluestone building in the world.


Located adjacent to the Ledges Hotel is the Hawley Silk Mill. Built in 1880, the Mill has the distinction of being the largest bluestone building in the world. The former industrial site now houses Lackawanna College  and features a unique collection of shops, offering home decor, children's clothing, bath and body items, art, candles and gifts.

An artist's rendering of the silk mill hangs inside the building.

If you enjoy craft beer, be sure to head to the lower level of the silk mill where you'll find a nanobrewery called Hopping Eagle. Their lineup includes IPAs, Hefeweizen, Porters and even fruited beer, known as "sours," which are experiencing a spike in popularity in the United States.

Hopping Eagle Brewing Company is located on the lower level of the Hawley Silk Mill.

Before leaving the silk mill, be sure to visit the standalone building in front of the mill called "Cocoon Coffee House and Bakery." The cozy cafe was once home to the cocoons which supplied the silk for the mill. Today visitors can enjoy coffee crafted from custom-blended beans and pair that with pastries, sandwiches, soups, snacks and more.
The eatery known as "Cocoon."
Located just a mile away from the area is Lake Wallenpaupack, where you can hop on board a pontoon boat for a 50-minute cruise, during which you'll learn about the history of the region, along with details about the reservoir, which was created in 1926 by PPL for hydroelectric purposes.

Scenes along Lake Wallenpaupack.


If you're planning on visiting with a group, Lake Wallenpaupack Tours offers charters for groups of four or fewer on their Harris Sunliner Pontoon Boat. Charters come with a captain and prices start at $325.

Another attraction in Hawley that is fun for the entire family is Costa's Family Fun Park, which operates from mid-June through Labor Day and offers go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, water slides, laser tag, bumper boats and more. 

Costa's Family Fun Park in Hawley features mini-golf and more.

Well that's about it, for now. This is what I call a "hit and run" excursion--a quick way to enjoy a short trip to another region for a change of scenery and a little fun as the summer begins winding down. 



 

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Plenty to Do and See in Quaint, Historic Lititz

If I had to describe 2020 as a person, I'd call it a curmudeonly hermit who, without fail, hails from a "place of no." No festivals, no congregating, no hugging, no singing, no bare faces, no smiles, no fun! So when I heard that the small town of Lititz was going to break rank and host an "ice walk" this year, I knew I just had to attend. 

Granted, it was was a little more spread out this year than in year's past, when its main gathering place/focal point was the park. Gone were the food vendors, rides, children's activities and the chili cookoff, but it was still nice to be able to get out and patronize the small businesses that have taken the brunt of this pandemic. 

The sculptures were varied and interesting, with my favorite being the girls playing jump rope. To add to the appeal, the jump rope was lit up at night with twinkly lights. I think this was the largest sculpture I'd ever seen at an icefest.
Ice sculpture
Other interesting sculptures included depictions of a rooster, the Penn State Nittany Lion, a martian, a parrot and Lady Liberty, to name just a few.
Ice sculpture

Ice sculpture
The Nittany Lion Mascot.


Ice sculpture


Ice Sculpture

Ice Sculpture

I've visited other Pennsylvania ice fests, both in Carlisle and Chambersburg, and this is the first time I've seen color used in any of the sculptures.

Ice Sculpture
A cute "rubber" ice duck with Lititz in pink and yellow.


Ice sculpture
This sculpture was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. 

If you missed this year's "Ice Walk" there's always a possibility that the full-blown IceFest will be held  next year. In the meantime, there are plenty of other things to do and see in the area.

A Shopper's Paradise

Downtown Lititz is home to more than 60 boutique shops downtown, featuring everything from apparel, to gourmet food, candy and home decor. 
Lititz shop


And if you love steampunk, you'll find a nice selection at Cherry Acres and Kirsch's Antiques.

Steampunk lamp

Steampunk Lamp
My husband bought me one of my choosing on Valentine's Day. It's a carburetor topped with an air filter. Here is a picture of it in my house.
Steampunk lamp
My new steampunk lamp.
I also enjoyed browsing the products at The Savory Gourmet, which carries an array of sauces, cheese and exotic meats, ranging from camel, to kangeroo. I've eaten buffalo, elk, venison and wild boar, but I can't say I've ever been tempted to taste camel. I just can't get over that hump.
The Savory Gourmet in Lititz
The Savory Gourmet offers an array of exotic meats, cheeses, sauces and more.
Savory Gourmet in Lititz
Another "foodie" destination is Zest! located at 30 E. Main Street. Zest! offers spices, gourmet foods, kitchen gadgets, cookware and more. If you have a friend who enjoys cooking and seems to have everything, you're likely to find a unique gift there.
Zest shop in Lititz
Zest sells gadgets, cookware, spices and more.

Pasta
Who has pasta shaped like little Eiffel Towers?

Kids, in particular, enjoy visiting Candyology. Candyology offers a cornucopia of candies, soda, puzzles and unique gift items sure to be a hit with the little ones. I took a picture of one of the unique sodas that they offer and overheard the owner saying they had just sold an enchilada flavor. This one is almost as unique. Grass anyone?
Candyology in Lititz
Candyology sells a variety of puzzles, candy and unique sodas.
The Wilbur factory in downtown Lititz closed in 2016 and the candy is made in other, more modern plants now, including a Lititz plant on West Lincoln Avenue. The retail store, however, is still open in the downtown area and continues to do a brisk business. I was able to take home a box of my favorites: dark, sea salt caramels.
Wilbur candy shop
The Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store was doing a brisk business on Valentine's Day weekend.

Before I left, I was able to snap a few shots of antique chocolate pots that were on display there.

Vintage chocolate pots

Vintage chocolate pots
Antique chocolate pots on display at the Wilbur retail store.

Vintage chocolate pots
Another shop with a rich history is the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Factory.  In 1861, at the age of 26, Julius Sturgis purchased the home at 219 E. Main Street in Lititz, where he opened the first commercial pretzel bakery in America. The house dates back to 1784 and is one of the oldest structures in Lititz.
Julius Sturgis Pretzel sculpture
My husband stands for the mandatory picture in front of the Sturgis building.
Today, families visit to view historical artifacts, purchase a variety of pretzels and try their hand at making their own. 
Julius Sturgis Pretzel shop
A variety of pretzel products for sale at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.

Artifacts at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
Artifacts on view to the public at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.

Julius Sturgis Pretzel factory equipment


Pretzel making at Julius Sturgis
Families learn how to twist pretzels at the Sturgis bakery.

The Historical Foundation and Museum

Just a few steps from the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, is the Lititz Historical Foundation & Museum, which is generally open from Memorial Day through October. I suggest visiting their website closer to Memorial Day to discover what their plans are for this year. I visited the museum about two years ago and snapped a few shots at that time. You'll see a variety of artifacts relating to Lititz area businesses, craftsmen and people.

Lititz historical society
The Lititz Historical Foundation & Museum is located at 137-145 W. Main Street in Lititz. 
Lititz springs write up

Ad for Ideal Almond Bars

Mary Todd Lincoln's fan
A fan that belonged to Mrs. Lincoln.

room at the Historical society in Lititz
A day in the life.
Lititz Springs Whiskey company
Artifacts from the Lititz Springs' Whiskey Company.


Magic Lantern
Before the movies, there was the "Magic Lantern." This one dates back to the 1800s.
Linden Hall, located across the street from the Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, is an all-girls school, founded in 1746 and still operating today. Below are artifacts from the school and a shot of the school campus.
Linden Hall artifacts
Linden Hall artifacts at the Lititz Historical Foundation and Museum.

Linden Hall
The Linden Hall campus.
Lititz Springs Park

Located near the old Wilbur Factory is Lititz Spring Park, owned by the Lititz Moravian Foundation and maintained by the churches of Lititz for public use. Prior to Covid, there would often be live entertainment and a popular Fourth-of-July celebration. Today kids can run through the park and also buy pellets from dispensers to feed the ducks for 25 cents.
Lititz Welcome Center
The Welcome Center across from the Wilbur Factory-turned hotel.

Lititz Springs' park
Children and adults enjoy feeding the ducks at Lititz Springs Park.

Lodging and Eats

The Wilbur Factory now exists as condominiums and The Wilbur Lititz, which is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
We enjoyed being so close to downtown and our room was comfortable. The only issues we had was a wonky door that was hung wrong and wasn't flush with the jamb, which concerned us a bit, but it seemed to lock okay. We also had a great deal of difficulty using the phone app to get in and out of the hotel. I think they need to work on that.
The Wilbur
A comfy room at The Wilbur.

Wilbur ads
Vintage ads decorate the walls.

The Wilbur lobby
A shot taken from the upstairs level.
During the evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal onsite at the Blackworth Live Fire Grill. The decor was attractive and the place was buzzing when we visited. 
Restaurant in Lititz

The Blackworth Live Fire Grill in Lititz

It took quite awhile to get our food, like about an hour, so if you visit, be prepared to wait a bit. I have to say it was delicious though.
Shrimp in Lititz
Shrimp at the Blackworth.


Strip steak
A delicious strip steak at the Blackworth.
If you'd prefer a more casual setting, I recommend Scooters, located at 921 Lititz Pike. Scooters serves burgers, steaks and pasta. The service was good, the food was terrific and the owner was onsite to offer a hearty, friendly greeting to the customers.

The Wilbur offers fantastic ham or bacon breakfast sandwiches during the breakfast hour, which my husband enjoyed. I, on the other hand, wanted to see what was happening at the Market at the Wilbur and chose to grab a cup of coffee at Whiff Roasters and an acai bowl at Oola Bowls.
Whiff Roaster
Whiff Coffee Roasters at the Market at The Wilbur.

Food at the Market at The Wilbur
Food selection at the Market at The Wilbur.

acai bowls
Oola Bowls are a delicious breakfast option.

If you visit Lititz, I highly recommend the Oola Bowls and do hope they expand into other areas.  I ordered the "What the Flax," containing acai, pineapple, granola, blueberry, flax and honey. 

My two-day stay in the quaint and interesting town was enough to become familiar with just about everything downtown Lititz had to offer. If I could recommend a better time to stay, it would be the summer, because everything's better when your surroundings are lush and green and the temperatures are comfortable, but there's no denying that Lititz offers a little something for everyone all year round.

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