The National Transit Building was constructed in 1890 as the hub of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company during the Oil Boom of the late 1800s. The Annex was constructed six years later to accommodate the growing company. At a cost of $90,000, it was the first building in the nation with offices for companies specializing in the transportation of oil by pipeline. In 1978, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. After the decline of the oil industry in western Pennsylvania, the building was repurposed several times before becoming vacant in the 1990s and was slated for demolition. Ralph Nadar visited Oil City in 1998 and purchased the building in order to rescue it from demolition and ultimately it was entrusted to the Oil City Civic Center. Today, the National Transit Building proudly showcases a distinctive blend of historical architectural elements that continue to capture the essence of a bygone era. Noteworthy features include the first water-powered elevator in the United States, doorknobs crafted from American Civil War cannonballs, and intricately adorned bronze and brass appliqués, all serving as enduring testaments to the building’s rich past.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact: oilcityciviccenter@gmail.com
