Before it became a park the Oil Creek Valley was occupied by towns, small settlements, many farms, and oil infrastructure. Today only the foundations of a few buildings remain. During the heyday of the Oil Boom people lived, had lives, and died. Many were buried in the cemeteries that are now part of the park. The headstones of a few remain.
There may be as many as 5 cemeteries in the park but only 2 are easily accessible to visitors. It is the goal of the Friends of Oil Creek State Park to help with maintenance and cleaning of headstones.
The Petroleum Center cemetery is the largest and best maintained. Park staff periodically mow the cemetery but some areas have become so overgrown that mowing is impossible. Two smaller burial areas are nearby but are not mowed due to the many trees and shrubs. The Gerard Hiking Trail passes near the Petroleum Center Cemetery off Petroleum Center Road on the west side of the park and through the Miller Farm Cemetery just off Miller Road on the east side of the park.
The Friends along with park staff and the Venango County Historical Society plan to gather information about those buried in the cemetery
In 2025 DCNR presented a workshop at the Petroleum Center Cemetery to teach volunteers how to clean headstones.
Click on the image below to see the process and learn some additional details.
The chemicals and tools used are specially made to remove dirt and organic matter without damaging the headstones.
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Questions or Comments can be sent to comments@friendsocsp.org