The American Refining Group’s Bradford refinery officially
became a state historical site Saturday during a historical marker
dedication ceremony at the facility during the company’s 125th
anniversary celebration.

Harry Halloran, chief executive officer of ARG, and Harvey
Golubock, president and chief operating officer, unveiled the cast
aluminum marker for the “Bradford Oil Refinery,” which read: “One
of the oldest refineries in continuous production in the U.S. was
founded near here in 1881 by pioneer independent oilmen Robert
Childs, Eli Loomis and William Willis. The original refining
capacity was 10 barrels a day. One hundred twenty-five years later,
the refinery processed over 9,000 barrels daily, purchasing more
than three million barrels of Pennsylvania Grade crude oil
annually, most of it from wells within 125 miles.”

The roadside marker, complete with a blue background and bronze
lettering, is located along Brad Penn Way near ARG’s offices off
North Kendall Avenue.

Sally Costik, curator of the Bradford Landmark Society, was the
author of the application for the designation, and the landmark
society is serving as co-sponsor of the marker.

Jane Crawford, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission, said when a subject is nominated, it must
recognize an event, place or deceased person who is believed to
have made an impact on Pennsylvania. It is then reviewed by a panel
of historians and others who either approve, not approve or ask to
have it resubmitted in the future with better documentation. If
approved, the nomination is forwarded to the full commission, who
acts on the panel’s recommendations.

“There was never any assurance” that the refinery would get the
historical designation, Golubock said Saturday. “We applied for it
and that application is reviewed by the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission … who receive many applications from all over the
state. And they don’t grant them all. We’re delighted to have been
chosen.”

But Barbara Zolli, representing the commission and director of
the Drake Well Museum, said Saturday there was no question the
refinery would get the designation.

“It had to have national significance, not just local,” Zolli
said. “It had to have a broad criteria of audience. But (the
historical significance of the refinery) was not ever questioned.
This marker will serve as a constant reminder of the significant
role ARG has played in preserving Pennsylvania history. The
Bradford Refinery is the only refinery that still processes
‘100-percent Pennsylvania Grade Crude Oil.’ That adherence to
Pennsylvania history says a lot.”

Golubock said they were helped on getting the application
approved by state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint.

Causer said Saturday he was glad the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission recognized the importance of the refinery in
history.

“I’m proud to have sponsored the application and supported it,”
Causer said.

The designation is the first in McKean County since 1985 and
only the second in the industrial category – the Tidewater Pipeline
Co. in Smethport was the last entity to receive one in 1949. All
told, there are 12 historical locations with markers across the
county, including one commemorating The Bucktails Civil War
regiment, the Kinzua Viaduct near Mount Jewett, the county
courthouse in Smethport and another recognizing Thomas L. Kane, the
commander of The Bucktails.

The facility is the oldest refinery processing crude oil in the
world, and the nation’s oldest continuously operating one. In
addition to processing Pennsylvania Crude oil, the refinery also
produces gasoline and fuel oil, along with a complete line of
solvents and lubricants.

Zolli pointed out that ARG and the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission have another connection.

“The (commission) … is also in the oil business,” Zolli said.
“In addition to administering Drake Well Museum, (the commission)
owns McClintock Well #1 … (which) has been in continuous production
since 1861 and marked its 145th anniversary in 2006. It seems
fitting that the oldest well and the oldest refinery are
celebrating anniversaries in the same year.”

Zolli and Halloran were discussing Saturday having some of the
crude oil from the well refined at ARG.