Hengstler's Spring, Pleasantville, PA

## Overview Hengstler's Spring is a well-regarded public drinking spring located just outside Pleasantville in Venango County, Pennsylvania. Known throughout the region for its water purity, the spring has long been a popular stop for locals and tourists visiting nearby historic sites — including the famous Pithole City ghost town, a once-booming oil boomtown from the 1860s that lies just a few miles further down Pithole Road. The spring flows for approximately 100 feet through marshy soil before emerging through a simple but functional spring box fitted with a bright orange PVC pipe for easy filling. The setup is practical and well-maintained, with a sturdy metal grate providing a solid handhold while you fill containers. A small parking spot sits right alongside the spring, making access quick and convenient. Visitors have long reported that the water from Hengstler's Spring tastes exceptionally clean, and it has historically been used as a drinking water source by the surrounding community. Dozens of people regularly stop here to fill jugs, and the spring is open 24 hours a day, year-round. ## Directions 1. From **Pleasantville, PA**, head north on **Route 36** for approximately **three miles**. 2. Turn **left** onto **Pithole Road**. 3. Continue on Pithole Road. The spring will be on the roadside — look for the small **parking pulloff** and the distinctive **orange PVC pipe** emerging from the spring box. 4. The nearest address is approximately **15898 Bailey Road, Pleasantville, PA 16341**, though the spring is accessed directly from Pithole Road. *GPS coordinates: 41.557152, -79.540268* ## What to Expect Hengstler's Spring is an easy, roadside stop — no hiking required. You'll find a modest spring box with a bright orange PVC pipe that makes filling water jugs straightforward. The metal grate next to the pipe gives you something sturdy to hold onto while filling containers, which is a thoughtful touch. The surrounding area is marshy where the spring flows before reaching the collection point, so the ground near the spring can be soft and damp — wear shoes you don't mind getting a little muddy, especially after rain. The spring itself and all its infrastructure have been reported to be in good condition. Because the spring sits along Pithole Road, it's a natural stop if you're heading to or from the **Pithole City historic site**, one of Pennsylvania's most fascinating oil-era ghost towns. The combination of fresh spring water and a visit to Pithole makes for a memorable day trip through Venango County's rich history. The spring is open at all hours and accessible year-round, though winter visitors should be prepared for potentially icy conditions around the spring box.