John D. Rockefeller at his 88th birthday. Cleveland Public Library Photo Collection.
Left: Drake Well Museum Collection. Middle and Right: Cleveland Public Library Photo Collection.
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1859 - America had its first strike of oil in Pennsylvania. Oil became the "black gold" as petroleum fueled engines, and kerosene was used for lighting. Rockefeller and Clark saw the oil refining business as a great opportunity.
1863 - Chemist Samuel Andrews, knowing how to extract kerosene, joined the company. Rockefeller then located his first refinery in Cleveland.
1863 - Chemist Samuel Andrews, knowing how to extract kerosene, joined the company. Rockefeller then located his first refinery in Cleveland.
"Rockefeller saw that Cleveland was better suited to be a site for industrial development... Rockefeller chose to locate the refinery... near the Cuyahoga River... Lake Erie and... Railroad[s]... Rockefeller was intelligent and foresighted to build near two choices of transportation."
-Rosemary Laughlin, Author of John D. Rockefeller: Oil Baron and Philanthropist
1865 - Competition between oil companies in Pennsylvania was fierce. Clark believed that their company was at risk though Rockefeller maintained great faith in the oil industry. With such disputes, Rockefeller bought Clark out at the cost of $72,500.
"I ever point to that day as the beginning of the success I have made in my life."
-John D. Rockefeller