Coquette Oil Well

To travel to all the decendents of the original oil fields of Pennsylvania. All the way to Texas and Alaska and beyond.
(It especially wants to see polar bears)

Along Oil Creek, just south of Titusville, PA, Colonel Edwin Drake struck oil at a depth of 69.5 feet in August 1859. Three words- " They've struck oil!" thundered triumphantly! This statement changed the world forever and marks the birth of the world's oil industry.
"The oil rush changed the pace of the world, and greased the wheels of the machine age. It lit up the future, fueled wars, speeded peace and is still flowing strong."
When oil prospectors poured into the valley in search of black gold, there were many ways used to decide where a good location would be to drill a well. Early in 1864, A.C. Kepler, dreamt he was in the woods with a charming young lady when he was attacked by an Indian with a bow and arrow. This lady friend, who had been considered somewhat of a coquette, advanced stealthily and handed him a rifle that she plucked out of the air. He fired at his foe and the Indian disappeared immediately. A river of oil gushed from the spot where the Indian had stood. Visiting his brother soon after, he recognized a place on the Egbert Farm as the scene of his dream, and pointed out the spot from where the oil burst forth. His brother marked the spot and bored the Coquette Well, which commenced flowing 15 hundred barrels daily.
Since such a romantic and intriquing story led up to the discovery of the Coquette Well it became an object of great curiosity. Many tourists would visit daily to gaze upon the well in wonder. Steps were created up to the well and visitors were charged 10 cents to watch oil pour into the tanks. Perhaps they thought they would catch a glimpse of a flirtatious, beautiful woman guarding the well or an Indian sitting atop the derrick with a bow and arrow in hand. Nevertheless, a share in the Coquette Well was considered a moderate fortune.
References: Paul Giddons, Early Days of Oil. excerpts also taken from Oil Creek State Park information.