Seneca Oil Spring, Cuba, New York

## Overview The Seneca Oil Spring is a unique and historically significant natural oil seep located near Cuba Lake in Allegany County, New York. Unlike a traditional drinking water spring, this site is a natural petroleum spring — a place where crude oil seeps to the surface from underground deposits. The spring holds deep cultural importance, as it was long known and used by the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, who valued the oil for its medicinal and ceremonial properties. The Seneca people historically collected the oil from the surface of nearby creeks and used it as a salve, liniment, and healing remedy — a practice that predates the commercial petroleum industry by centuries. This oil spring is considered one of the earliest documented petroleum seeps in North America and played a role in the broader story of oil discovery in the region. Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania were at the heart of America's first oil boom, and sites like the Seneca Oil Spring helped spark interest in the commercial potential of petroleum long before the famous Drake Well was drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859. Today, the Seneca Oil Spring is preserved as a small historical landmark. The flow of oil is very low — sometimes barely perceptible or not flowing at all — but the site remains a fascinating geological curiosity and a window into both Native American heritage and early American industrial history. This is not a drinking water source; the spring produces natural petroleum rather than potable water. Historically, the oil was used topically for healing purposes rather than consumed. ## Directions 1. The Seneca Oil Spring is located along the western shore of Cuba Lake in Allegany County, New York. 2. Head toward **West Shore Road** (also referred to as South Shore Road in some maps) near Cuba, NY. 3. Look for the spring near **5385 West Shore Road**, Cuba, NY 14727. 4. GPS coordinates: **42.231457, -78.306686** (or approximately N 42° 13.897', W 078° 18.397'). 5. The spring is enclosed within a roughly five-foot-tall fence. As of the original visitor report, the site may be unattended, and access may require climbing over or bringing a small step ladder to view the spring up close. *Note: The nearest address listed in the original submission referenced "Hwy 131, St. George, Maine," which appears to be an error unrelated to this location. The spring is in Cuba, New York, not Maine.* ## What to Expect The Seneca Oil Spring is a small, quiet historical site rather than a dramatic natural attraction. Visitors will find a modest seep area enclosed by a fence approximately five feet high. The flow of oil is very low and may not always be visible, especially during dry periods. The surrounding area along Cuba Lake's western shore is rural and scenic, with wooded hills typical of the Allegany County landscape. Because the spring produces petroleum rather than water, this is not a site for collecting drinking water. It is best appreciated as a geological curiosity and a piece of living history. The site is particularly interesting for those with an interest in Native American history, early petroleum exploration, or the geology of natural oil seeps. There are no formal facilities at the spring itself. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for a brief, informal visit. Cuba Lake and the surrounding area offer additional recreational opportunities, including fishing and hiking, making the oil spring a worthwhile stop as part of a broader visit to the region.