Why: To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the first oil production in U.S.

When: August 28 - August 30

Special Call: W3O

Where: W3ZIC club members will operate from the site of Drake Well near Titusville, Pa.

Maybe it was the gold rush of the 49ers that sparked the interest in having Mother Earth provide a path to Easy Street. One thing was certain, enterprising individuals flocked to western Pennsylvania shortly after the discovery of oil in August 1859. An industry, one of the world’s most lucrative, was born. Colonel (an honorary title) Edwin Drake with his driller, Uncle Billy Smith, was seeking oil when it appeared in their 69' well that fateful Sunday morning. Once the word got out, the area around Titusville experienced a bonanza to rival anything that had happened before or since. Towns sprang up overnight. Some of the better-known ones disappeared in less than two years. Areas that once were a forest of oil derricks now are the forest where deer, turkeys, and bear are more likely seen.

Fort Venango Mike and Key ARC will commemorate the sesquicentennial of oil production with a special event this August.

Transmissions are scheduled to begin at 1600 Z on 28 August for 12 hours then resume at 1200 Z on 29 August for 16 more hours.

Look for special event call W3O on 20, 40, 80, and 160 CW and SSB.

Operations will be from the original site of the Drake Well (google it). A raffle ticket will be placed in a drum for each call sign answered and a winner will be drawn for a beautiful numbered print similar to the picture of Col. Drake and Billy Smith that has appeared in so many history books. Well-known artist, Fred Carrow, has produced only 150 of these. Please help us in celebrating the Valley that Changed the World. Sincerely, Joe, AA3TH Fort Venango Mike and Key Club

PS: The artist gave permission to include the following picture with the above article.