Petrolia - Canada's Victorian Oil Town

Downtown Petrolia

Petrolia’s downtown has been admired and appreciated by generations of its residents. At the turn of the century, the town boasted one of the finest Department Stores anywhere, run by R.Stirrett. The Iroquois Hotel with its magnificent turrets burned down but is remembered as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the town. Some of Petrolia’s buildings are the classic Chicago style of architecture with cast pillars. These examples and the fact that the majority of the downtown buildings are brick and many are three stories, is a testament to the incredible wealth that existed here. I have tried to include as many pictures as possible to reflect the good fortune that black gold brought to “Canada's Victorian Oil Town”

These 2 pics are from the late ca.1960s showing the Blue Castle Lounge just after the Gyurky family aquired it. It is now known as Streets. The next pic is the same building showing the IGA which later became Pro Hardware which is now Home Hardeware. Many thanks to Louis Gyurky who loaned me these slides that I scanned for your pleasure.
Bradshaw From the East looking West	Bradshaw A rare Eastern downtown,North view. Ca.1904
editor's collection A great shot showing the Railroad as it went by the High School (upper left). Remnants of the old railroad still exist behind the back streets near the High School. Shepard and May Flour Mill corner of King St and Lorne Ave in the Kerr Survey is the tall white building (right). Built ca.1878. "In the 1880's as many as five carloads of flour went out for England in a month from the Shepherd and Sons Mill" Source Petrolia 1866 - 1966 - page 25 Ed Phelps	editor's collection Downtown south side looking east, the Mckay Block
Iroquois Hotel This is a Pesha photo that shows the Iroquois Hotel where Shoppers Drug Mart now stands. Also a rare inside pic of the kitchen.	editor's collection Former Boges Hardware Store looking east towards the Library Not sure where this is, but it is an interesting pic. Note Shabsove Billiard on the sign. Don Gibson brought this one over to make copies. We will find out the location soon. Possibly ca.1920s ?
Bradshaw collection An interesting view looking East down Main street in front of the old Post Office.	editor collection
editor's collection I purchased this postcard (and the next 2) recently and they show some great long past Petrolia signs and upper balconies. Also to the left a very important man during the horse and buggy days with his wheel barrel, the 'honey man'. (looking East)	editor's collection Another great view looking West from Tank st.
editor's collection Another great view looking East with lots of awnings and balconies.	Bradshaw
editor's collection A very interesting look behind the United Church. Notice the Livery Stables. My Great Grandmother talked about there being numerous places around Town to keep your horses and you would ring over or send someone to get your horse and carriage brought to your home. Apparently some folks would keep their wagon or carriage at home and keep their horse at one of the downtown Liverys.	editor's collection Here is a ca.1908 Old Boys Reunion parade. Note the buildings with balconies and the Livery right on the Main Street.
I think this view is looking west from the top of the hill. I especially like the very early autos in this postcard.I bought this card from Robert in Lapeen Michigan. editors collection	Another view of ca.1908 Old Boys reunion parade with a 'Penny Farthing' bicycle or 'High Wheeler'
Post Office looking west editor's collection	This is an interesting view looking west from the east end towards the Downtown. editor's collection

Scarsbrook Grocer and Shoe Store ca.1910s Elvin Earl HOPPER left in apron (MORE ON HOPPER ) Elvin Hopper and his folks and siblings (Emerson, Lloyd and Iva) were all Petrolia people and I used to visit my great-uncle Lloyd Hopper there when he ran Hopper's hardware, which he inherited from his father Ed Hopper. Ed was married to Maggie Brownlee, daughter of Robert Brownlee. Lloyd couldn't wait for Canada to get into WW I so he paid his own passage to England and joined the British army. They sent him into France as an ambulance driver - dreadfully dangerous job. by B.Hopper	Gibson Grocery Store editor's collection
This is a grocery store East of the TD bank. ca.1890s Formerly Tony's Restaurant editor's collection	editor's collection An early pic that shows the former Hymes building with iron cresting and huge windows.Also note some interesting characters on the street.

These 3 postcards are from ca.1906 Dominion Day parade day.The first 2 are shot from the Old Post Office roof and the third is probably the after parade festivities in Victoria Park
Dan McPherson and Alex Cowan in front of Cowan Taxi and gas bar. To the right is Herb Saunders clothing store. Looks to be ca. 1930s.This pic was sent in by Jane Teskey Alex's grand daughter.	editor's collection An interesting look at the Iroquois Theater.The movie listed on the marquee came out in 1955. Here is a bit of trivia from the making of that movie. During the filming of a scene in which Jack Palance strangles Shelley Winters, Jack actually cut off Shelley's air and she passed out. The director and cast all thought everyone was acting, only her then boyfriend, later husband, Tony Franciosa, noticed the difference and was able to break the scene and save her life.........
Parsons This is a shot taken by Gord Parsons ca.1962. It looks like a parade passing through Petrolia street and Center street.	Great view of today's Helen's Hideaway looking north. Notice Petrolia Standpipe upper left

These four shots are of the R.Stirrett Department store exterior and interior ca. 1900. It was located at the corner of King and Main.
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East of the Library. Bill Jackson's Pool Hall. I don't think this building lasted very long but notice the Coke signs and the Petrolia Topic office left. built ca.1890s, this group late ca.1930s. Beside today's Godfather Pizza

Here is a gift card and token for Bills
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All of these pics below show the downtown buildings as they appear today and were shot by Steve Berry. Some of these facades benefited from the town facade program. Below you will find before and after shots of some of these facades. I have removed the link pics for these downtown shots in the interest of economy.


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	This building was recently built on the former site of the Iroquois Hotel. On the second floor you can notice the half moon stained-glass windows recycled above the new windows. The owners {Louis & Wendy Bratanek} have done an impressive job of building new and yet retaining the Victorian theme of the down town in their facade. The architect was Maxine Shabsove. http://www.msarchitect.ca/














BEFORE	AFTER

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These 3 buildings utilized the Petrolia Downtown Facade Program. As you can see the results are dramatic and there are more owners again this year wanting to take advantage of this program. There are other before and after pics but for now these are what I have because some of the after shots are not very clear. Several more will be included in the near future.