Black gold team 2001--- Angela Beaudrow, Jonathan Piitz, Tammy Auranen --- omcchin@ebtech.net

Oil Heritage Tour

This tour will give you a brief overview of the important areas in the Oil Heritage District, and also allow you to experience the boom atmosphere of early days and see oil technology in its infancy.

Canada’s Oil Heritage district is the location of North America’s first commercial oil well, dug by James Miller Williams in 1858. The oil exploration, production and refining processes that were perfected here led to the development of the modern petroleum and petrochemical industries that we know today. Local Drillers took their expertise and technology to foreign countries such as Persia (Iran), Sumatra, and from Texas to Peru to discover oilfields. Wyoming - Although no oil was ever found in Wyoming, it became important as a railway-shipping center for oil from Petrolia and Oil Springs. In 1864, six oil refineries were located here and the oil was transported by horse and wagon to the busy railhead. Petrolia Discovery- The Petrolia Discovery is a 60 acre tribute to oil pioneers. Here you can see historic and modern pumping wells, view photo displays and movies, learn about the foreign drillers, watch authentic demonstrations, visit the gift shop and enjoy the picnic or play areas. Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital- Was originally the home of Jacob L. Englehart, an oil baron who was one of the founders of Imperial Oil (now known as Esso). The mansion, complete with a nine-hole golf course, was a wedding gift to Englehart’s wife Charlotte. After her death, the home was bequeathed to the town for a hospital. This hospital uses no taxpayer money, since Jacob had donated money and Imperial Oil Shares to ensure continuous financing for the hospital. Oil Well Supply Company - This firm was started in 1866 by Hector McKenzie, who later joined forces with James Joyce. The company manufactured drill rigs, special tools for the oil industry, as well as pumps, valves and many other quality industrial products. Fairbank House - Fairbank House, or Sunnyside as they called it, was built in 1890 by oil and business magnate John H. Fairbank. The home had 22 rooms, which included a ballroom, a billiard hall and servants quarters. Oil Museum of Canada- The museum, which houses a national historic site, opened in 1960. It is located where James Miller Williams dug the first commercial oil well in 1958. Outside exhibits include Canadian drilling rigs, three-pole derricks, a nineteenth century oil wagon, and original buildings from boom times. Inside, the gallery includes a wealth of petroleum industry artifacts, geological displays and momentoes of the foreign drillers. See Oil Museum of Canada. Historic Oil Fields - This is where John Henry Fairbank devised the ingenious, cost effective method of producing oil from numerous wells with one power source, the jerker line system. When quiet you can still hear them creaking. The Shaw Gusher- This is where Hugh Nixon Shaw, after months of work in 1862, struck oil after digging down well over 60 metres, which became the world's first gusher. The oil shot above the treetops and flowed at a rate of 3000 barrels per day! Some say this discovery started the oil boom. Watson’s Machine Shop - Oil Springs landmark that was built by the Oil Supply Company in 1880. The founders, Anderson and Murray, designed, built, and repaired tools for the local oilmen. They invented a gas-powered engine that made oil production very efficient. Follow this link to Lambton County firsts in the oil industry.