Joseph McCloskey of Chicora, formerly of Petrolia, is working on a history of the Petroleum Valley. From his home he shows some of the products of the region.

History of the Petroleum Valley can be difficult to find.

Joseph McCloskey of Chicora, formerly of Petrolia, has made it his goal to write three books on the Petroleum Valley, which includes Petrolia, Bruin, Fairview and Karns City.

“You can't take all the Butler County history books up to 1927 and get a good picture of the Petroleum Valley,” McCloskey said. “There is a little bit here, a little bit there.”

The first book will explore the discovery of oil, the oil and chemical companies and the coal mining interests that helped shaped the Petroleum Valley.

The second book will center on the people involved with those industries.

The third book will be about the war veterans of the valley, from the American Revolution to present.

“We just need some missing elements,” McCloskey said. “Of course, people don't know what is missing, but we tell people, don't underestimate any little bit of information.”

“One piece may solve the puzzle or it may make a new one,” he said.

McCloskey plans to have the first book completed by Oct. 1, but has run into some issues with details such as when coal mines shut down and opened, what exactly were some of the projects they were working on, etc.

“What we really need is anything that anyone has, pictures, pamphlets, bill of sales, anything,” said McCloskey.

Some of the refineries and chemical companies McCloskey is focusing on in his first book are Daugherty, Sonneborn, Witco, Crompton, Penreco, Pennzoil,

Calumet and Penacol, Koppers, Indspec, and the High Grade Oil Refining Co., Ultra Penn, as well as the Starlite Refinery of Karns City.“The first book is about the industrial complex of the valley — present and past,” McCloskey said.He first started working on the project about 2008, after a friend and he went to an auction.Watching item after item sold, he said, “Here goes all this Penreco memorabilia out the door.”McCloskey decided to spearhead the project to gather as much history as he could before it was lost.“I've been slacking on the history, but then when I found out how old I was — when someone reminded me — I thought I better settle down and get to work,” said McCloskey.Pat Collins, administrative director of the Butler County Historical Society, agrees with McCloskey that the sooner information can be collected, the better.“I think it's very important that we get any history preserved while we can, while people who have the knowledge about it can provide the details,” Collins said.McCloskey has spent countless hours interviewing and working with people all over the country and two foreign countries to find accurate information.“I am extremely pleased with what I do have,” McCloskey said. “I've had people bend over backward, extend themselves to help me.”The second book, which goes hand and hand with the first, is about the Sherwins, the Becks, the Sonneborns, the Pickards, the Berrys, the Walkers and other business leaders who developed and drove the local economy.“I think not just those fellows, but the entrepreneurs need credit,” McCloskey said.The influence of these companies put the Petroleum Valley on the map not only with coal and oil, but also items such as additives to the polio vaccine, and the Resorcinol that was instrumental in the building of the wooden landing craft and gliders for the Normandy invasion during World War II.Collins said, “Look at all the jobs that were created and how many families got their livelihood from (the refineries). They lived their whole lives in that industry.”

Those who have information regarding the history of the Petroleum Valley can contact Joseph McCloskey.<b>Phone: </b>724-287-1101<b>E-mail: </b>Joeamishguy@aol.com<b>Address:</b> 783 Chicora Road, Chicora, Pa., 16025McCloskey said he is hoping to obtain information in the form of photographs, church bulletins, plant newsletters and events, the Daugherty/Sonneborn publication “As you were,” the names of plant employees and the achievements and candid photos of the area, which will help to visually explain the changes that have occurred in and around the valley.Yearbooks, class photos, school newspapers and the transition of schools are all needed.Information that is received will be copied and the original will be returned to the owner, he said.Verbal histories of events and people would also be appreciated.

Joseph McCloskey who is working on a history about the refineries in Petrolia, Bruin, Parker area holds up different oils coming from this area at his home in Chicora.