Infections In The Oil Region

Venango County on the Cure

Venango County’s fight against tuberculosis reveals how communities once responded to widespread illness. From early sanatorium care to local fundraising and medical cooperation, the county played an important role in advancing public health practices.

This article draws on county histories, medical journals, and contemporary newspaper accounts to document the treatment of tuberculosis in Venango County.

This week, staff at the Venango Museum explored the history of public health in Venango County, focusing on aggressive and contagious illnesses such as tuberculosis. While diseases like diphtheria, typhoid, and tuberculosis may seem like relics of the past, they were common in the region far more recently than many realize and continue to affect people worldwide today.

Tuberculosis (TB) has existed for much of human history and reached epidemic levels in Europe and North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Rapid industrialization, urban crowding, and poor living conditions contributed to its spread. The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, discovered by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. The name “tuberculosis” was introduced in 1834, referencing the tuber-like lesions found in infected organs. TB was widely feared, described as a disease that slowly weakened and killed many young men and women.

Before the development of antibiotics, treatments for TB were limited and varied. One commonly accepted approach was summarized by the Italian phrase lana, letto, latte—wool, bed, and milk—emphasizing warmth, rest, and good nutrition. Sanatoriums became the primary method of treatment, providing isolation to reduce disease spread while offering structured care focused on fresh air, rest, and nourishment.

In 1904, Samuel Y. Ramage founded the Grandview Institution, a tuberculosis sanatorium serving Venango County residents. Originally housed in a farmhouse near Oil City, the facility quickly expanded to include separate dormitories for men and women. Grandview gained a strong reputation for using the most advanced treatments of the time, and Ramage ensured that care was available regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1905, the Oil City Medical Club formally endorsed the institution’s open-air treatment approach, calling it the most effective known therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis at the time.

Treatments at Grandview reflected contemporary medical beliefs. Patients spent long periods resting outdoors, even in extreme winter temperatures—sometimes as low as twenty-eight degrees below zero—in an effort to halt the disease. Alongside fresh air and rest, patients received nutritious meals, which alone often improved health in an era when undernourishment was common. Surgery was reserved for severe cases.

Despite its importance, Grandview struggled with limited capacity and financial challenges. Community organizations, state nurses, and tuberculosis societies helped care for patients who remained at home. In 1924, a major fundraising effort raised over $33,000 to address debt, repairs, equipment needs, and recreational facilities. Another campaign in 1925 funded a new wing designed specifically for advanced TB cases, increasing the hospital’s capacity to approximately fifty-five beds.

During World War II, staffing shortages—particularly the lack of registered nurses—forced Grandview to close in August 1943. Patients were transferred to other tuberculosis hospitals, including Cresson. After its closure, the building was repurposed as a rehabilitation center and convalescent home. Grandview’s history stands as a reminder of Venango County’s ongoing efforts to confront public health crises with innovation, community support, and compassion.

Sources

Bell, James, and Brown, William. Tuberculosis: Its Nature and Treatment. Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co., 1890.

Karns, Fredric M. Venango County: A History of Its People and Institutions. Franklin, PA, 2000.

MD, H. L., and M.D., E. P. “Tuberculosis Control and Sanatorium Treatment.” Public Health Reports, 1945.

Riccardi, Nicola, et al. “Tuberculosis in History.” Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2020.

The Derrick (Oil City, Pa.). — “Fundraiser for Grandview Institution,” 1924. — “Grandview Institution Expansion,” 1926. — “Closure of Grandview Institution,” 1943.

“Tuber­culosis—Historical Landmarks.” American Journal of Respiratory Disease, 2000, 256–260.

Venango County 2000. Venango County Historical Society, 2000.