Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Waterton in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
 

Dream Town

Ville de Rêve

 
 
Dream Town Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
1. Dream Town Marker
Inscription.

ENGLISH INSCRIPTION

Western Canada’s first producing oil was drilled in this valley at the turn of the 20th century. This success spurred further activity in this area, attracting more drilling and workers. A.P. Patrick, an investor in the first well and a Dominion Land Surveyor, decided to create a community to support them.

You are standing in the area he surveyed, then registered in 1908 as Oil City. His ambitious plan showed a main street and 450 fifty-foot lots organised into 16 blocks. Only a few lots were sold, and a few cabins built. A post office opened in June 1905, with 41 people receiving mail there, then shut down in 1908. Buildings decayed, and Patrick’s town was never much more than a dream and a plan.

Follow the path and you can see the only remaining visible evidence of the town – a foundation laid for a ten-room hotel that was never completed.

(Upper Photo Caption)
Ernest Drader, shown here in the arms of his father John and with his mother Agatha (seated), was born on December 26, 1905. He was the only child born in Oil City. John was one of the first drillers working in the area.


FRENCH INSCRIPTION

Lepremier puits producteur de pétrole dans l′Ouest canadien fut foré dans cette vallée au début du 20e siècle.
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
Cette réussite engendra d′autres activitieés de forage et attira d′autres travailleurs. A.P. Patrick, investisseur dans le premier puits et arpenteur des terres fédérales, décida d′établir une communauté.

C′est ici qu′il arpenta les lieux et fonda Oil City en 1908. Son plan ambitieux prévoyait une rue principale et 450 terrains de 50 pieds distribués en 16 îlots. On ne vendit que quelques terrains et on ne construisit que quelques cabanes. Un bureau de post ouvrit ses portes en juin 1905. Il desservait 41 personnes et ferma en 1908. Les bâtiments se dégradèrent et la ville de Patrick ne fut jamais plus qu′un rêve et qu′un plan.

Suivez l′allée pour voir les seuls vestiges de la ville : les foundations d′un hôtel de dix chambres qui ne fut jamais terminé.

(Photo Supérieure Légende)
Ernest Drader, ici dans les bras de son père John et avec sa mère Agatha (assise), est né le 26 décembre 1905. Il fut le seul enfant né à Oil City. John était l′un des premiers foreurs dans la région.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1905.
 
Location. 49° 3.906′ N, 114° 0.041′ W. Marker is near Waterton, Alberta, in Waterton Lakes National
The Drader Family image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
2. The Drader Family
Close-up of image on marker
Park. Marker is on Akamina Parkway (Local Road 14A) 8 kilometers west of Provincial Highway 5, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Cameron Valley in Waterton Lakes National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waterton AB T0K 2M0, Canada. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Waterton (approx. 6.4 kilometers away); Oil & Architecture (approx. 6.4 kilometers away).
 
Oil City as Viewed from Ruby Ridge, 1914 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
3. Oil City as Viewed from Ruby Ridge, 1914
Close-up of image on marker
Oil City Survey Plan by A.P. Patrick image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
4. Oil City Survey Plan by A.P. Patrick
Close-up of image on marker
Trailhead to Site of Oil City<br>and Dream Town Marker image. Click for full size.
Google Street View (©2015 Google), June 2013
5. Trailhead to Site of Oil City
and Dream Town Marker
View to southeast from Akamina Parkway
View to Southwest on Akamina Parkway image. Click for full size.
Google Street View (©2015 Google), June 2013
6. View to Southwest on Akamina Parkway
Marker on left (east) side of road
Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
7. Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well Monument
Monument is located 1 km northeast of Dream Town marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.   7. submitted on January 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=82965

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 29, 2024