The Oil City Civic Center (OCCC) is excited to announce the receipt of a $40,000 grant from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust. The grant has been allocated for critical infrastructure improvements at the National Transit Building in Oil City, marking a significant milestone in the Center’s ongoing commitment to preserving the structural and historical significance of this cherished landmark.
“We are immensely grateful to the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust for their continued support and investment in the preservation of our community’s historical heritage. This grant enables us to undertake vital infrastructure improvements that will contribute significantly to the longevity and accessibility of the National Transit Building,” said Vice Chair of the Oil City Civic Center, Patrick Pelletier.
The grant award follows the successful completion of necessary roof repairs which were funded by a $100,000 grant from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust in 2022. These repairs included removing the roofs on the elevator shaft on the main building, re-insulating the roof, installing new flashing, removing the old roof on the penthouse, repairing the main stair tower on the Annex, removing the existing roof drains and installing new ones, and replaced and insulated compromised sheeting. In addition, the work included removing a broken air handler unit and re-framing and patched the roof in the area where the air handler was removed. The OCCC contracted Staab Brothers Inc. to conduct the repairs. These upgrades signify a pivotal step towards ensuring the continued safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the National Transit Building.
The OCCC provides affordable office spaces for non-profits and local for-profit businesses in the National Transit Building, while also remaining dedicated to maintaining its historical and structural integrity to benefit generations to come. Currently, the OCCC has several spaces available for rent in both the main building and in the Annex with Wifi accessibility. Additionally, the Great Room in the main building is available for rental as a versatile event space, ideal for hosting an array of gatherings such as parties, conferences, meetings, and special events.
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
