Cornplanter Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cornplanter Township
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Township
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The ghost town of Pithole in Cornplanter Township
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Map of Venango County highlighting Cornplanter Township
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Venango |
| Settled | 1795 |
| Incorporated | November 28, 1833 |
| Named for | Cornplanter, a Seneca war-chief |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of Supervisors |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.99 sq mi (98.39 km2) |
| • Land | 37.45 sq mi (96.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.54 sq mi (1.41 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,318 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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2,271 |
| • Density | 62.09/sq mi (23.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-121-16232 |
Cornplanter Township is a small community located in Venango County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is named after Cornplanter, a respected war chief of the Seneca Native American tribe. In 2020, the population of the township was 2,318 people. This number was a bit lower than in previous years.
Contents
History of Cornplanter Township
Cornplanter Township has an interesting past, especially linked to the early oil industry in Pennsylvania.
Early Oil Industry
In 1861, a small place called McClintocksville was part of Cornplanter Township. This is where the Wamsutta Oil Refinery was built. It was the first business venture of a very important person named Henry H. Rogers. He later became a leading American businessman and a very rich person.
Henry H. Rogers and his wife, Abbie, lived in a simple one-room shack near Oil Creek for several years. This was while he was starting his oil business.
Henry H. Rogers and Standard Oil
Later, Rogers met Charles Pratt, another important person in the oil business. Pratt bought all the oil from Rogers' small refinery. In 1867, Rogers and Pratt created a company together called Charles Pratt and Company. This company was later bought by Standard Oil in 1874. Standard Oil was a huge oil company led by John D. Rockefeller. Rogers became one of the most important people in Standard Oil.
After joining Standard Oil, Henry H. Rogers invested a lot of money in other industries. These included copper, steel, mining, and railways. One of his biggest achievements was building the Virginian Railway. Rogers became very wealthy, with a fortune estimated at over $100 million.
Philanthropy and Historic Sites
Even though he was very rich, Rogers was also known for being very generous. He gave money for many public projects in his hometown of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He also helped famous people like Mark Twain, Helen Keller, and Booker T. Washington with money.
Two important historical places in Cornplanter Township are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Pithole Stone Arch Bridge and the ghost town of Pithole City.
Geography of Cornplanter Township
Cornplanter Township covers a total area of about 37.8 square miles (98 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. A section of the beautiful Oil Creek State Park is located within the township. This park is known for its natural beauty and history related to the oil boom.
Population Information
The population of Cornplanter Township has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 2,687 | — | |
| 2010 | 2,418 | −10.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,317 | −4.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,271 | −6.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 2,687 people living in the township. By 2010, the population was 2,418. In 2020, it was 2,317. The estimated population for 2023 is 2,271.
In 2000, about 24.1% of the people in the township were under 18 years old. About 20% of the population was 65 years old or older. The average age of people living in the township was 42 years.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Cornplanter para niños
