Canada's first oil town was booming in Ontario long before Alberta

Not many people know that it wasn't Alberta, but a small town in southwestern Ontario, that was at the centre of a historic petroleum rush that helped shape Canada's economic future.

About three hours west of Toronto, Petrolia may look like a quiet small town today, but in the late 1800s it was one of the most important and bustling oil communities in North America.

Its legacy can still be seen in the active oil wells that continue to operate nearby.

A breakthrough oil discovery in the nearby community of Oil Springs in the 1850s was the catalyst for Petrolia's rise. The discovery made way for commercial oil production in North America and resulted in the region's early petroleum boom.

Photo by Sue Thompson via Flickr.

Everything changed in 1866 when a major natural gas discovery in a nearby community fuelled intense growth in the locale; this would be the town of Petrolia. Workers, investors, and entrepreneurs flocked to the area, and the settlement eventually separated from Enniskillen Township and incorporated as its own town later that year. It was officially called Petrolia, the oil town of Ontario. 

Oil production experienced immense prosperity over the decades, creating a huge generation of wealth in the community. Petrolia became such a well-regarded town globally, with local professionals such as drillers and engineers travelling around the world, sharing their knowledge in other oil-producing regions. 

That prosperity is still visible in the town's architecture.

Petrolia wears its nickname as "Canada's Victorian Oil Town," like a badge, and a walk through its streets reveals elegant, well-preserved homes and heritage buildings that allude to its prosperous era.

Photo by Sue Thompson via Flickr.

One of its most recognizable landmarks is Victoria Hall, a National Historic Site of Canada completed in 1889. Designed as a multi-purpose civic building, it originally housed everything from the fire department and municipal offices to the jail and an opera house all under one roof.

Exactly 100 years later, the interior was completely damaged and gutted by fire, with only its brick exterior remaining intact. It has since been repaired and turned into a town hall and opera theatre open for visitors to explore and immerse themselves in the town's history.

Grounds of the Petrolia Discovery Museum. Photo via The Petrolia Discovery Foundation Inc. 

Visitors wanting to explore more of the town's background can also stop by the Petrolia Discovery Museum before wandering the heritage downtown, where boutique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings offer a glimpse into the town's prosperous past.

And of course, one cannot visit the town without stopping by the Petrolia Library, an iconic edifice that originally served as the Grand Trunk Railway Station. The library is open daily for visitors to explore and dive deeper into the town's past.  

Petrolia Library. Photo by Sean Marshall via Flickr.

Petrolia was once home to what has been described as the world's shortest streetcar line — a "bridge-length" route built to connect the town to the St. Clair River. It was also the site of one of Canada's earliest golf courses, Kingswell Glen Golf Club, where visitors can still play a round today.

Although a day trip will suffice to explore the town's rich architectural heritage and historic landmarks, if you're staying overnight, consider making the hour-and-a-half drive to Point Pelee National Park for a day trip in the great outdoors; you can take this opportunity to disconnect and hike, swim, or simply spread out a blanket and enjoy a relaxing day in nature.

Despite its popularity in the past, Petrolia is now home to just 6,000 residents. Despite the shrinking population, it continues to thrive through its theatre, hospital, parks, and year-round community events.