Oil Creek Reservation
Home of some of the Seneca Indians, the Oil Creek Reservation is named after the oil creek that was described by Joseph De La Roche D’Allion, a Franciscan Missionary in 1627. This was the first recorded mention of oil in North America. The Seneca and earlier indigenous peoples had learned to use the petroleum-tainted water of the spring at this site for medicinal purposes.
The New York State Oil Producers Association sponsored a monument at the site in 1927, describing the history of the oil industry in North America.
The Seneca Oil Spring park is near Cuba Lake. It is a great place to spend lunch with friends of family.
The plaque dating from 1927 reads:
1627 Seneca all spring 1927
Its history forms the first chapter in the development of the petroleum industry in America – a gigantic world enterprise transforming modern life.
1627 oil on American continent first recorded in this region by the Franciscan fryer, Joseph de la Laroche D’Allion.
1656 Spring mentioned by the Jesuit father, Paul Le Jeune.
1721 prior to this year, spring visited by Joncaire the Elder.
1767 oil from the spring sent to SIr William Johnson has a cure for his wounds.
1797 Spring permanently reserved by Indians in Treaty of the big tree.
1833 description of spring by Professor Benjamin silliman of Yale University.
Erected as a tercentenary memorial on July 23, 1927 by the University of the state of New York and the New York State oil producers association
