Franklin, Pennsylvania
From Frontier Outpost to the Fuel of the Future
Our Origin Story
Tucked at the meeting point of the Allegheny River and French Creek, Franklin is more than a charming small town.
Franklin is a place where American history, innovation, and community spirit converge.
Long before it became a town, this land was a vital Native American crossroads, connecting waterways from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River. By the mid-1700s, it became a strategic battleground in the struggle between the French and British, with forts rising and falling as empires fought for control.
In 1787, a new American settlement grew around Fort Franklin, named for Benjamin Franklin, and a community began to take shape.
Franklin’s defining moment came in the 19th century.
Our Timeline
1850-1900
The Town That Helped Change the World
Just a few miles from Franklin, the world’s first successful commercial oil well was drilled in 1859, launching the global petroleum industry.​
Within a year, oil was discovered in Franklin itself, turning the town into a booming hub of innovation, wealth, and opportunity.
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Franklin became part of the region that powered the Industrial Revolution
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It produced millions of barrels of oil annually at its peak
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Visionaries like John D. Rockefeller were drawn to the area
This wasn’t just a boomtown; it was a place where modern industry was born.
1900's
A Legacy You Can Still Walk Through
Unlike many boomtowns that faded away, Franklin endured.
Franklin became the stable heart of the oil region, even as surrounding areas rose and fell.
During the oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, newfound wealth and ambition reshaped Franklin from a modest river town into a place of striking beauty and sophistication. Entire streets were reimagined as new commercial blocks, elegant homes, and civic buildings rose in quick succession. Each structure reflecting the optimism and energy of a community at the center of a global industry.
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What makes Franklin truly remarkable today is how much of that transformation still stands. As you walk through downtown, you’re surrounded by a rich tapestry of architectural styles, each one capturing a moment in time. Ornate Victorian details sit alongside the bold lines of Romanesque design. The mansard roofs of Second Empire buildings rise above the street, while Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Italianate, and Stick-style influences add texture and character at every turn.
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These buildings aren’t just beautiful; they are deeply personal. Many were commissioned by the oil region’s most prominent figures, each leaving their mark on the town in brick, stone, and intricate design. Together, they create a streetscape that is both historically significant and visually unforgettable.
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In Franklin, the oil boom didn’t just change the economy—it built a legacy you can still experience, one building at a time.
Today
A Living, Breathing, Thriving Town
Franklin is a place where history isn’t just remembered—it’s lived.
​Today, the legacy of the oil boom still lines the streets, from beautifully preserved Victorian architecture to a nationally recognized downtown that invites you to slow down and explore. Strolling along Liberty Street, you’ll find a vibrant mix of locally owned shops, art galleries, and inviting restaurants, all set against a backdrop that feels both timeless and alive.
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Franklin isn’t just about what you can see; it’s about what you can experience.
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Throughout the year, the town comes to life with festivals, concerts, and signature events that bring the community together and welcome visitors. From seasonal celebrations to weekly summer concerts and major events like Applefest and Blues & BBQ, there’s always something happening.
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Just beyond downtown, outdoor adventure is never far away. With miles of scenic bike trails, riverfront parks, and access to the Allegheny River and French Creek, Franklin offers endless opportunities to kayak, hike, fish, or simply take in the natural beauty that has drawn people here for centuries.
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Whether you’re here to walk through history, enjoy a weekend festival, explore the outdoors, or indulge in a little retail therapy, Franklin offers a perfect balance of charm, energy, and discovery.
Key Historic Sites & Points of Interest
1. Franklin Historic District
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Walkable downtown filled with 19th-century architecture.
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Boutique shops, galleries, and preserved storefronts.
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Details of specific buildings and their history are listed below.
2. Venango County Courthouse - 1168 Liberty St
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Built in 1868 by J. W. Brady, a local builder.
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The small tower originally contained a large bell and the tall tower housed the clock.
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A custom still in use today is that of the call of the Court Crier to open court proceedings
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Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. French Creek & Allegheny River Confluence
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The geographic heart of Franklin’s story.
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Ideal for kayaking, biking, and scenic views.
4. Venango County Historical Society (Egbert-Mullins-Koos House) - 301 South Park St.
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Built in 1859 during the oil boom.
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Offers exhibits, archives, and deep local history.
5. Galena-Dockery Building - 1140 Liberty St.
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The original hotel burned in 1891.
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The present structure was built in 1901 to accommodate the company offices of Galena Oil Works and its officials, including Charles Miller, his brother-in-law Joseph Sibley and other prominent individuals in the oil industry.
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The building contains 11 walk-in vaults and the exterior walls measure 16-20 inches thick.
6. Snook Block / Printz Building - 1234-1242 Liberty St.
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Prior to 1860, dilapidated stands stood in this area called Rat Hole Row.
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This Italianate-style building was constructed in two parts, the first half in 1883 and the second half in 1888.
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Originally, it was known as the E. W. Snook Block, housing the Snook & Co. Hardware.
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In 1901, Charles Reisinger purchased the business and renamed it Franklin Hardware, which remained in operation under various ownerships until 1999.
7. Feldman Jewelry - 1260 Liberty St.
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Thomas Huling's boarding house stood on this site in the very early years of Franklin's settlement.
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The current circa 1900 structure with its beautifully appointed facade was once the home of Feldman Jewelry which is still represented by the Feldman clock that still stands outside.
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B.J. Feldman opened his first jewelry store in Franklin in 1871, occupying various sites in the business area. His son, George Feldman, was a well-known civic leader, musician and businessman. George was co-founder of the Fulcrum Oil Company, a local industry engaged in the manufacture of clock and watch oils.
8. Sheasley Building - 317-319 Thirteenth St.
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An elaborate ornamented frieze and cornice crown this commercial Italianate structure.
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The block was erected in 1886 by John L. Mitchell, President of the Exchange Bank.
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In 1918, Jacob Sheasley purchased the building from the Mitchell estate and placed his name on the capstone.
9. The McClure Hotel / Anderson's Furniture - 225 Thirteenth St.
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Hotel Seanor was located on this corner in the late 1800s.
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In March 1900, the McClure Hotel opened, boasting, "Not the biggest but the best".
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Around 1915, the building was purchased by Robert Anderson to house his furniture store.
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Extensive renovation in 1999 preserved much of the 3rd floor hotel layout, resulting in awards from the Oil Heritage Region and the Franklin Historic Preservation Association.
10. Salvation Army Building - 302 Thirteenth Street
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This is one of the very few Art-Deco buildings in Franklin.
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Interesting details include a recessed entrance, with a stylized fan design and shield over the door.
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In the early years, the building was occupied by a grocery store. The Salvation Army has occupied the building since the mid 1940s.
11. Woodburn. Cone & Company / Foursqaure Church - 318 Thirteenth Street
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This building was erected after a destructive fire in 1866 swept through Thirteenth Street.
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It is one of the oldest commercial sites in the business district.
12. Old Exchange Hotel - Corner Liberty and Thirteenth
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Very early in Franklin's development, this corner was of great importance to residents and travelers. In the 1820s, John Lupher had a blacksmith shop here and William Bennett was the proprietor of a rooming establishment.
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The first hotel was a four-story frame building that opened in 1866 and was destroyed by fire in 1870.
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May of 1871 saw the opening of a new brick Exchange Hotel - just in time for the September visit of President Ulysses S. Grant and family as they toured the Venango County oil regions.
13. Old Exchange Bank - Corner of Liberty and Thirteenth
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This is one of the finest examples of the Beaux Arts style in the Oil Heritage Region.
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In 1917 and in 1924, major reconstruction resulted in the substantial and impressive structure now known as the Venango County Exchange Building.
14. Old Orpheum Theater - 1277 Liberty Street
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The Orpheum Theater, a 'magnificent picture house' provided county residents with the latest in entertainment including vaudeville, short plays, musicals, silent and talking films.
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Built in 1916, this Neo-Colonial style building showcased the latest in entertainment technology. It featured an electric ticket seller, a change-making machine and a sparkling marquee.
15. St John's Episcopal Church & Tiffany Windows - 1145 Buffalo St
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One of only 8 churches in America that contains a complete set of Tiffany Windows, 30 in total.
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View local article and pictures of windows here.