Timeline
Cornplanter Square
Oil City, PA

A Snapshot History of Oil City's Oil Boom

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August1859

Drake strikes oil and begins the American oil rush.

First Oil City Oil Exchange Building
1874

A group of men from Oil City receive a charter from the state to create the Oil City Oil Exchange.

1877

Construction of the new Oil City Oil Exchange begins at 100 Seneca Street.

Oil Barges in Oil City, PA 1864
1878

Averaging a daily trade of 10-14 million barrels of oil, the Oil City Oil Exchange became the third-largest financial exchange in the United States.

Oil Exchange Building
1897

The Oil City Oil Exchange is closed due to declining business.

1901

Pennsylvania oil boom ends.

Oil City Oil Exchange Building
1909

The Oil Exchange building is sold to the National Bank and the original building is razed.

Oil City National Bank
1926

The Oil City National Bank is constructed in the Oil Exchange's place.

1997

Mellon Bank, the last banking-related owner of the building, ceases operations and the building becomes vacant.

Venango County building in Franklin, PA
2017

The building is purchased by Venango County and ownership is transferred to the Venango County Economic Development Authority.

Interior of 100 Seneca prior to renovations
2019

Renovations begin.

5th Floor of 100 Seneca in Oil City, PA
2024

5th floor renovations are completed and the first tenants move in.

100 Seneca Logo
2024

100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square is rebranded to 100 Seneca.

100 Seneca's first floor retail food accelerator
2025

The first floor "brewstillery" is projected to open in June 2025.