The fire raged for three days until it finally was brought under control. The benzine ignited and in the ensuing explosions 60 men, women and children died. Another lightning strike in 1894 resulted in 27,000 barrels lost in a fire. Oil production in Pennsylvania peaked in 1891, although the Titusville area had already experienced its peak. The city settled into a slower growing era, with lumber eventually returning as its major industry.
Oil is still a force, however.
Charter Plastics Company is now located in a building that once manufactured pressure vessels, stationery engines and boilers for the oil industry. Today's product is made from oil. A trolley company established a route between several communities in Crawford and Venango Counties in 1898 and remained in business through New Year's Eve, 1924. College football fans will recognize the name Heisman. Young John W. Heisman, for whom the trophy was named, attended school in Titusville, playing high school football there for three years.