Titusville, PA
Posted by: 
Szuchie
N 41° 37.645 W 079° 40.403
17T E 610507 N 4609260
This National Register of Historic Places structure was built in 1865 and has served as Titusville's City Hall since 1872!
Waymark Code: WM3DP0
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 03/20/2008
Views: 29
According to City Hall's website, Titusville, PA, a city of the third class under Pennsylvania classifications, is located in the southeast corner of Crawford County near where the county borders with Warren and Venango Counties. Titusville, PA, serves as the hub of activity for the tri-county region encompassed by the Titusville Area School District. Titusville is a quiet, safe community with a quality education system, a reputable hospital, a general aviation airport, a community recreation complex, and an excellent library.
Titusville, PA, proudly boasts over 285 acres or recreational property which includes 6 parks, 15 ball fields, 8 soccer fields, 3 sand volleyball courts, a 400 meter community track, a community pool, a BMX race track, skate park, tennis courts, walking trails and bike trails. There are also picnic shelters and pavilions available to rent. Titusville, PA, has been named a "Tree City, USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 20 consecutive years. The University of Pittsburgh maintains a branch campus in Titusville which offers a variety of two and four year degrees. While in Titusville, you can visit Oil Creek State Park and hike over 30 miles of trails through the valley or bike the 12-mile of paved trail running from Titusville to Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek provides some of the best fly fishing in the country. Drake Well Museum & Park offers visitors a look into Titusville history as the "Birthplace of the Oil Industry", including a working replica of the original Drake's Well.
According to the National Register of Historic Places Records Archive, the Titusville City Hall was originally constructed as a private residence in 1865. Once regarded as “the most elegant private residence in the city”, the structure is a fine example of the Greek Revival temple form house. Soon after its construction as a private residence, the building was sold and then transformed into a hotel. Known as the “Bush House”, the hotel became a landmark to an area in the heart in the oil region of northwestern Pennsylvania. Until 1872, the structure served as a center of social life for the city and the region.
In 1872, with the need of the local governing authorities for better facilities, the Bush House was acquired by the city and became the Titusville City Hall. It has continued to serve in this capacity for over 100 years.
The frame structure of the house is five-bays wide, two and one-half stories high, and has a low-pitched gable roof. The most outstanding feature is the large three-bay portico made up of four Ionic columns which support an entablature and pediment. Pilasters are located at either end of the portico along the façade as well as at the front corners of the building. The heavy entablature is marked by a plain frieze and architrave, and the pediment features a small arched window in its center. A balcony with balustrade, attached between the first and second floors, is sheltered by the portico.
The windows on the first and second floors are double hung sash and are surrounded by plain molding with shelves. Windows in the gable portion are double hung sash with mullions. Besides the entablature mentioned above, the roof trim features a plain box cornice with returns. Pedimented dormers are visible at either side of the portico.
The rear of the structure contains two wings which were probably added some time between 1865 and 1872. When the building became the City Hall in 1872, it was repaired and remodeled.
Name: Titusville City Hall
Address:
107 N. Franklin St
Titusville, PA USA
16354
Date of Construction: 1865
Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications:
A plaque listing this building on the National Register of Historic Places.
Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link]
Architect: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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