Bolivar Central School - Gusher Yearbook (Bolivar, NY)

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DEDICA TION ln Venango County Just south of Titusville, Penn sylvalna, and along Oil Creek lies Drake Well Men orial Park. This is the birthplaceof the petroleum lndustry At this spot work was stopped late Saturday afternoon August 27 1859 The next day Uncle Billy Smith a veteran saltwell driller was in specting the well and saw an oily fluid close to the top of the ptpe. He made a rough tube and lowered it into the pipt. What he brought forth was black gold. A new industrial era had begun An era which created a heritage of excitement and opportumty for Edwin L Drake is the man responsible for this era. Despite attempts U1 recent years to minlrnize this qaochal event, he, and he alone, IS considered to be the discoverer of petroleum. Perhaps no other smgle man ever made a greater contnbution to the economy of the world. An illustrious citizen of Bol lvar once wrote a book entitled Bolivar Pioneer Oil Town. Indeed Bolivar is a ploneer oil town. Bolivar grew up and thrived on the life llnes of oil. Our fine town and excellmt school owe their exls tance to the bmefits provided by the oll industry Consequently we feel that it is fitting and proper that we join in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the world s first successful oil well by proudly dedic ating our 1959 Gusher to oil 1959 those of us who call Bolivar our home. Colonel . u

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A ,r-' 1859 1 Ash' .....-4 an x Colonel Drake, right, standing in front of original well. 1 .1-A

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