A Short County History
excerpt from Your Family Tree, 1958.

The county of Venango, located in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania, was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties and was attached to Crawford County until 1805. The name Venango is an Indian term meaning French Creek. In 1839, part of the county became Clarion County (some Clarion records from 1800-1839 are found in Venango County). Additionally, part of Venango County was included in Forest County in 1848. Venango County is bordered on the north by Crawford and Warren Counties, on the east by Forest and Clarion Counties, on the south by Butler County and on the west by Mercer County.

The city of Franklin was selected as the county seat on March 26, 1808. It originally laid out in 1795 at the site of Fort Franklin, which was built in 1787 and named after Dr. Benjamin Franklin.  The town was incorporated as a borough in April 1828 and chartered as a city on April 4, 1868.

Oil City, at the junction of Oil Creek and the Allegheny River, was settled in 1825 and remained a small village until 1860 when the town's oil wells were developed.  In 1892, the town of Oil City was destroyed and hundreds of residents killed when burning oil rushed down Oil Creek from Titusville.  Damage was estimated at over 1 million dollars.

Among the first settlers at Franklin were George Powers, William Connally, Col. McDowell, Samuel Ray, and John Andrews.

News and Notes:
• Major George Washington came to Venango County in 1753 to interview theFrench Commander at Fort Dusquesne.
• The Indians used the oil found in this area as a base for their war paint (it gave it permanence). They also used the oil as part of their religious ceremonies.

Barr's Corners
submitted by Sheila Barr Helser +

Barr's Corners was a small town in Rockland Twp. Venango County, Pa. It was comprised of 5 families.  Milton Barr (my great-great grandfather) originally owned the land.  In 1865 Milton Barr and his bride Rebecca Hall came to Seneca and bought the "Rural Hotel" then a rough public road house for transient oil men.  Seneca was then called Salem City.  Rebecca refused to be a partner in a public saloon and with her husband they cleaned the hotel of any tainted atmosphere and established a hotel service, real food and clean restful beds that came to be renown by a highly appreciative traveling public all over western Pa.  Mrs. Barr "Aunt Becky" advocated prohibition in a day when it had hardly been thought of.

Captain John P. BARR was born in Rockland Twp., Venango County.  During the Civil War he inlisted in the 4th Pa. Cavalry 9 Oct.1861.  He was Brevet Major of Company L, 64th Reg., 4th Cavalry during the Civil War.  After the war he was Registrar and Recorder of Venango County 3 Jan. 1876 - 5 Jan. 1885.  His son Frank Barr followed him in this job. He went to Grove City Pa. in 1886 and organized the Union Heat and Light Co.  He was instrumental in organizing the George Junior Republic.  He was a deputy assesor and collector for the Internal Revenue Service in Oil City 1885-1890. He exerted a stong influence on both towns.

Bunker Hill School, Frenchcreek Twp
submitted by Durwood Beatty +

Printed roster: Bunker Hill School, Frenchcreek Twp, Venango County PA. LR Gilliland and H Reagle, Directors. Compliments of Emma G. Hitchcock,Teacher 1909-1910.
Bertha Bell, Hazel Reagle,John Beatty, Earnest Ritchey,Mildred Bell, Nellie Reagle, James Beatty, Roy Ritchey,Thelma Bell, Virginia Reynolds, Frank Beatty, Domer Ritchey,Myrtle Baker, Velma Reynolds, James Buys, Merrl Jones,Onie Beach, Olive Reynolds, Elmer Hagerty, Chas. Power,Clara Beach, Avis Smith, Arnold Hagerty, John Wagner,Wilda Cummings,Floranna Smith, Newton Moffit, Walter Morris,Olive Delong, Erma Westlake, Lee Ritchey, LeRoy Reagle,Audine Delong, Clara Singleton, Geo. Ritchey, Richard Ross,Ruth Hagerty, Celia Moffit,Clara Hagerty, Ida Shawgo,Mable Hedglin, Emma Hoffman, Arvilla Hedglin, Martha Roemer,Gladys Reagle, Olive Reamer, Mary Reagle,Alma Ritchey,Lulu Reagle, Florence Ritchey,Grace Ross, submitted by Durwood Beatty