Petrolia - Canada's Victorian Oil Town

GROUPS & OTHER INTERESTING PICS
This page is full of interesting pics that show Petrolias citizens doing what they did and how they looked doing it. The pictures here range in time from ca.1845 to ca.1960s. Hopefully there is something or someone of interest to each viewer. Please enjoy this page for it's range of activities and individuals.

This is a typical group for the period of ca.1918. Someone is home from war and everyone poses with the brother, husband or father in various stages of his uniform. These are always great pics with even greater stories. The back of the pic reads as follows.....left to right, Ivan Hopper-Petrolia, at rear Emmeline and Art Colborne. Next to Ivan Hopper, Mrs Dora McMillen 4074 Petrolia street.Mable (Watson) Wright, Mrs George Deacon 1918. In front of Dara McMillan's home on Petrolia Line.	Yet another group with no names beside an oil well. We must assume in Petrolia and that is oil spurting from the well. In the same envelope as pic on the left. Here is a post card that is not Petrolia. However there were cards from a catalog that you could have your Town's name and or a caption entered as in this one. I usually stay away from these cards but for some reason bought it. The car is 3 dimentional and maybe because I like vintage cars. Probably ca.1910s
21 Shell at the corner of Petrolia Line and 21Hyway. Before Wally and Joe had it. ca.1970?? from the Jean Bradshaw slides	E. Fletcher, Ed Fletcher,Ted Fletcher and Jack Fletcher. This is a great picture with names. Submitted by Pat McGee
Beauty Queens Heather Bourne and Marie Jardine ca.1974	The Beautiful Linda McFee and her attendants and some clown. both pictures from Jean Bradshaw slides
Marjorie Gould – Arthur, Joe Tate, Mildred – (help from Rhodes), Helen Hext, Pamela Rhodes, Iva Rhodes, Betty Peat, Beth Tate (peeking), Beth Akin, Jean downer, Doris McKenzie, Helen Lackie, Davy McKenzie, Bonnie Aiken, Evelyn Downer and Ira, Orabelle Wynne plus Johnny on knee -Bob front, Mildred Eastman, Arletta Sees and Mildred‘s sister Doris and Eddie, Jean Fairbank, John Taylor, R.J. Taylor and Dorothy, Ileen Smith and Charlie –(Charlotte)- , Aldeen Burgess and Errol and Marcia, Bill Lackie – Diane Tate – Jim and Joe Lackey, Susan Pete, Bobby Wynne, Charles Fairbank, Dougie Eastman, Sylvia Fairbank, April Salts, Bob Hext, Heather MacKenzie, Pansy salts and Karen Here is a group of Petrolia ladies "Family Studies group' and their children ca.1940s. This is from the Jean Bradshaw collection as she is clearing out her house. I was able to scan many items from the amazing Jean Bradshaw collection that like this picture, 'had' the names. I typed the names here from the faded back of the photo. Let know if I made any mistakes. Many of these children we know here in Town today. (posted Nov/23)	The back of the photo to the left. Check my spelling. From Oct 2023 scan
Thanks to Pat Traichevich for this rare pic of Japanese internment detainees in Petrolia during WW2. Lou Gleeson is 4th from right in the middle. Pat's dad Lyle Ptolemy is second row right end in uniform. ? MacDonald is standing and Police Officer George Fowler is fourth from left second row.	A great document from ca.1869 of Petrolia looking for tenders to supply planks and ties for roads to Wyoming and past certain oil wells. Another item from the impressive collection of Petrolia Historian James Maitland.Shot with my iPhone 6.
editor's collection Some kind of dancing group from Petrolia. The caption inset tells it all. I don't have the names but if you know..........	editor's collection Interesting pic ca.1908 or 1900 of a Petrolia Decoration Day parade. However, poor quality but still a good pic.
editor's collection This an interesting view of the Petrolia Fall Fair Midway ca.1906. Note the dancing girls and the colorful posters. The Fall Fair is still a highlight on the annual Petrolia events calendar.	editor's collection There was a beard contest in town for the towns Centennial ca.1966 and these lads were the entries. BACK-Murray Campbell, Don Smith, John Davidson, Jack Heron, Jim Smith CENTER-BUD BOURNE, Albert 'Bert' Morley Bob Blackwell, Gerry Forshee, Norm White, Eric Maguire, ____?, Bill Maguire, Bob Dillon, Jack Bourne, George Downer, Bill Pritchard, FRONT –Russ Saunder, Roy Frawlie,Ted Burgess, Bill Johnson Ingram, Don Smith
Here is young Bill Pritchard & Pin, ca.1954 on his big BSA. Notice Bishop's Red and White store in the background . Notice the pickup truck. Thanks for sending this one in Bill. Also known by his Ham Operator call sign VE3-BZP .	Thanks to Mrs Zavitz for letting me scan this ca.1954 Petrolia High School pic. Diane Jahnke delivered it for her.
Gleeson This is a great school house pic from Marthaville which is about a mile and half North West of Petrolia.Up until the 1920s there was a boardwalk from Petrolia via the Blind Line {Pithole} to Marthaville.One could say that Marthaville was an early suburb of Petrolia. This pic was submitted by Bertha Gleason the wife of the late Lou Gleason a sports legend from Petrolia. 1st ROW-Ray Rippin, Bill Dalziel 2nd ROW-Dave Dalziel, Bertha {Rippin} Gleason, Florence Logan Lillis {Braybrook} Ball, Fred Logan, Ernest Topliffe, Reg Rippin {twin to Ray} Myrtle {Rippin} Rider, Katherine {Topliffe} Isber, Nora {Hendy} McDonald Lena Williamson, Mary {Dalziel} Graham 3rd ROW-John Battice, Fred Battice, Jim Daziel {twin to Dave}, 4th ROW-Jack Maxwell {with hat}, Albert Carr, Bud Maxwell, Reuben Williamson, Charlie Stevenson, Doris Ortwein, Merle Salisbury, Helen Stevenson 5th ROW-Henry Carr, Alex Dalziel, Lonnie Ortwein, Marg Braybrook, Vera McColl, Edith {Handy} Mitchell, Eve {Rippin} Berry, Isobel Carr	editor's collection This is a pic from the late 40s and it speaks for itself. Recently I purchased a large group of Petrolia pics which include about 20 or so more P. Business College pics of grads and others . For more on the college 'click here' editor's collection An interesting vintage Petrolia advert
editor's collection The top photo is a Daguerreotype {1/6 plate } of a young women from ca.-1845. The writing on the back in pencil says "Nanna Emm, Oil Springs Ont."The next Daguerreotype {1/4 plate } is of a well dressed gentleman from the same period that I bought at a garage sale in the ca.1970s here in Petrolia. Both of these rare photos were probably not taken here but likely belonged to folks from the area. Your editor has numerous other Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes but these 2 are the only local ones.	Bourne Number Please This is a pic of the Bell Telephone operators, probably about late1950s.
Fred Howlett and Son's store. I left the link large so you can see the detail of goods on the shelves
editor's collection Petrolia's first automobile. It was owned by a jeweler Mr. A.C. Darling around 1903. I would assume that these 2 ladies are connected with Mr. Darling somehow. Mrs Darling right. Below is A.C. Darling himself ca.1951. editor's collection Here is an ad that I got from a nice couple from Ajax. Thanx Ken & Nancy. It speaks for itself . ca.1912	editor's collection The Darling's jewellery/clock store.Notice the optometrist chart on the right editor's collection I have recently purchased a group of CDVs and these 2 are some highlights. Notice the photographer's name and on the lower left the oil well scene. The CDV on the left is by VanNorman both are lesser known Petrolia Photographers operating in the late ca.1800s
editor's collection This was a boat trip from Sarnia for the Petrolia Wagon Works employees	editor's collection A group of Petrolians swimming in Bear Creek or Lake Huron. Do you know who they are?
ca. 1925 OLDBOYS reunion parade. Down from the library north side. Jean Bradshaw collection
editor's collection I left this parade scene extra large so you can see the incredible detail on bystanders and into the store windows	editor's collection Bessey Marie Corey and her two children, Harrison on the left and Charles Randolph ca.1908. Thank you Peter Corey for the correct names.
editor's collection A group of WW1 soldiers similar to the one on the ancestor page with some of the same Lads	editor's collection *Also from the Stirrett collection,could this be the little girl above grownup?*
editor's collection The Scarsbrook family.From left Alberta, Mrs Scarsbrook,Hellen Mr.Scarsbrook, Regina. Can you recognize this house in Crescent Park today?	editor's collection Back row-Jessie Welch, Emma Thompson, Lizzie McDonald, Nettie Rose Sitting-Mary Thompson, Daisy Denham, Annie Dibb, Maggie Harkness Emmeline Orchard ca1890s
Bradshaw Dr.Fraileigh in dress uniform just home from WW2. He was a GP in Petrolia for many years. These pics are from slides that I got with the Epson 1250 Scanner.	Bradshaw Drum Majorettes in the late 50s. Gail Richmond,Dorothy Aldred, Mary Jane Prichard. There aren't as many parades in Petrolia but in the 50s & 60s it was a regular event and there were many beauties like these.
editor's collection This is a very interesting ca.1870s Tin Type that I purchased for a quarter about 20 years ago.The little boy is standing beside a model of an oil derrick. The lady on Eureka street didn't know anything about it accept that it always was in her grandmothers jewelery box.	Gail Richmond
Gilespie Ca.1939 Birthdat party at Fairview Mansion Back row -June Kerr, Dorothy Daley, Louis Little Mary Margaret Kelly, Gloria Pike, Doris Daley Anne Duggan, Middle row-Beatrice Allen, Martha Duggan Betty Burgess, Jean McCallum, Pat Donald Kathleen Gillespie, Mardie Sutherland Front row-Olive Gillespie, Gloria Slack, Bertha Smith Doris Morris, Marie Knight, Beth McCallum, Therese Duggan	editor's collection This is a General Store at Pithole. Pithole was a very small settlement on the Blind Line North of Petrolia. Most of the people there either were oil drillers or worked at the Nitro Glycerin Plant. Some probably worked at the Canadian Oil as well. Eventually Pithole disappeared and some of the homes were moved to Petrolia. Some say that Pithole was on the Blind Line near Marthaville but my Great Grandmother said that her home was moved to Eureka st. from Pithole on the West bank of Bear Creek ca.1916. I will soon have a page devoted to Pithole.
editor's collection I have included this rare architectural TinType from the ca.1870s because it is so interesting. It was with a group of area photos from Petrolia, Warwick and Oil Springs. A proud family in front of their new home. Let me know if you recognize the house. It looks like junior was told to take his hat off for the photo& he tossed it on the ground.	editor's collection This is a great pic from outside of Petrolia near Alvinston on the Jack McCorigary farm. Great shots of vintage farm equipment & steam engines. Probably ca.1905 to 1912
editor's collection This is an interesting pic with a dentist his assistant and a very frightened little girl. I bought a box of Petrolia pics and this is one of the few that is not named. Do you know who they are?	editor's collection Also from the same box of pics that the dentist pic came from is this gas station pic. Taken at Bob Aikens garage on Greenfield street behind TD Bank, later Jimmy Rowes Garage.from left .........Smith, ..........Parker, Bill Humes (taxi driver), Bob Aiken, Mildred Aiken, Wilfred Green, herb Rippin
editor's collection Also from the box of Petrolia pictures is this pic of an electric store. I have strained to read some of the items on the wall such as the calendar and the phone book hanging by the phone to get a name but no luck. I have left the resolution high so you can travel around a ca.1920s electric store to look at the interesting items. *Recently I have recieved info on this pic. Click here for more.*	Clouse This is an interesting pic that I got from Hugh Clouse. It has incredible detail of Empire Day ca. 1900 in the park where the post office now sits looking West. One can wander virtually through the crowd and see some interesting characters. This is an example of what can be done with a very good photographic maintenance program run by a trained technician.
editor's collection This is a pic of the Howlett Tile yard that used to be on Tile yard Side road just East of the high school.	editor's collection Not the greatest quality but a group of quilters in Petrolia . As you can see the only name is Mrs. Bedal
editor's collection This might be the toll gate at the Plank Road.Looks to be about ca.1920s or 30s	editor's collection A beautiful family in the library. ca.1900
editor's collection A group of very fashionable Petrolia ladies ca.1880s	editor's collection A load of wood in front of VanTuyl& Fairbank Hardware.
Bradshaw These are 2 pics that I was able to garner from slides ca.1940s showing 2 views from Victoria Hall's clock tower. The one to the right shows a view looking west with buildings that are gone now.	Bradshaw An interesting view looking west from Victoria Hall tower ca.1940s
editor's collection Petrolia Boiler Works on Center st.	editor's collection Iroquois Hotel on the site of todays Shoppers Drug Mart. Included here because the United Church is seen at right being erected. ca.1900
It was apropriate during the ca.1800s and well into the ca.1900s to present your calling card to the staff of your host or hostess when attending an appointment or simply visiting. The card was presented and you were anounced. These are 3 Petrolia examples from probably the late ca.1800s.	Heidi McNabb just picked up these 2 pics at a garage sale and just brought them over for me to scan. I don't know who they are but maybe you might.
Minnie Canneff top left and husband Charlie lower left. ca.1880s	editor's collection Here is a interesting CDV by Petrolea's Robson, however the subject is ' Spruce Lawn Maitland Ohio'. Maybe he moved there and used his old card stock from Petrolea. Probably ca 1870s
Editor's collection This is all I have on this item. Just the news account.	Great view of Downtown Petrolia ca. 1866. This is when Petrolia's downtown was focused in the section of Main Street East of Bear Creek.

I do get pics from folks all the time. Here is something very special from Mike.
Here are two picture from my Gr Grandfather's (Alexander McAllister) scrapbook. He was born in Petrolia and his father and uncle were oil drillers(John, Dan, Alex McAllister)
The pictures have no other caption but what you see, hope you enjoy. If you run into anything with the McAllister name keep me in mind
Thanks
Mike McAllister

All of these pics and more are from my own collection because people like you let me copy them. I want more.
Email Martin at mdillon16@cogeco.ca