Sarnia in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Ontario’s Oil Refining Industry

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

1. Ontario’s Oil Refining Industry Marker

Inscription. Stimulated by the discovery of significant oil deposits in Enniskillen Township, Ontario's first commercial refineries were erected in 1857-62 at Sarnia, Oil Springs, "Petrolea" and Hamilton. The industry, developed to produce coal-oil and lubricants, was plagued by explosive fires, market fluctuations and problems of refining. In 1880, to counter growing American competition, several companies joined to form Imperial Oil. In 1898, however, seeking expansion capital, it sold a majority interest to Standard Oil, an American refining company. The following year, Imperial brought its operations here to the lakeside. Although other cities had refineries in operation by 1907, Sarnia's access to higher grade Ohio oil, the new demand for gasoline and from 1942, the location here of major petro-chemical industries established Sarnia as Ontario's principal refining centre.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 42° 57.3′ N,

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82° 24.888′ W. Marker is in Sarnia, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is on Christina Street South 0.1 kilometers north of Clifford Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Christina Street South, Sarnia ON N7T 8A9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The St. Clair Tunnel (approx. half a kilometer away); The St. Clair Tunnel / Le Tunnel St. Clair (approx. half a kilometer away); Davidson House (approx. 1.5 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Port Huron Carferry: crossing the St. Clair River (approx. 1.7 kilometers away in the U.S.); The St. Clair River

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

2. Ontario’s Oil Refining Industry Marker

(approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Bina M. West (approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Woman's Benefit Association (approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Woman's Life Insurance Society (approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarnia.

Oil fields in Petrolia, 1860s image. Click for full size.

3. Oil fields in Petrolia, 1860s

Oil Refineries in Sarnia, 1903 image. Click for full size.

4. Oil Refineries in Sarnia, 1903

The St. Clair River at Sarnia, looking toward refineries (“Chemical Valley”), 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

5. The St. Clair River at Sarnia, looking toward refineries (“Chemical Valley”), 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.