YOU DON'T GET IT, IT'S NOT WORTH THE SHORT TERM GAINS, PUT IT BACK IN THE GROUND

Why were they drilling for oil before we had ICE engines? I can't think of any Civil War era machines that ran but coal and steam.

I’m going to play the devil advocate here and say this is actually rather impressive. Look at all of those towers which I imagine are steel, something up and coming for the era. And the new methods of drilling being implemented. This was cutting edge stuff in 1859. Dawn of an era. Birth of several blue collar trades. Just like we have “forefronts of innovation” today that one day we’ll look back at and cringe. This was exciting stuff in its time. Pinnacle of human progress.

Looks like a lovely place. /s