Petrolia in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Victoria Hall
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
1. Victoria Hall Marker
When Victoria Hall was built in 1889, Petrolia, in the midst of an oil boom, was one of the wealthiest towns in Canada. The opulent town hall reflects this stage in the town’s growth. While its first floor housed municipal offices, court rooms, fire department and armory, the entire second floor was an opera house capable of seating 1,000 people. The design, by London (Ontario) architect George Durand, uses a diverse combination of forms and a variety of decorative motifs to heighten visual interest and recall various stylistic periods.
French
Au coeur d’un boom pétrolier, Pétrolia devint l’une des villes les plus riches du Canada. Son opulent hôtel de ville, construit en 1889, reflète cette période de croissance rapide. Les rez-de-chaussée regroupait les bureaux municipaux, un salle de tribunal, une sale d’armes et le service des incendies. Au premier étage, se trouvait un salle d’opéra de mille places. Conçu par l’architecte George Durand de London, cet édifice présente une combinaison judicieuse de formes et de motifs qui attirent l’attention de évoquent divers styles.
Erected by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
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Location. 42° 52.859′ N, 82° 8.796′ W. Marker is in Petrolia, Ontario, in Lambton County. Marker is on Greenfield Street close to Petrolia Line, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Greenfield Street, Petrolia ON N0N, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Founding of Petrolia (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert M. Nicol Library (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); First Oil Wells in Canada (approx. 12.2 kilometers away).
Also see . . . Victoria Hall - Petrolia, Canada's Victorian Oil Town. While Victoria Hall is important architecturally on both a regional and national scale, its designation as a national historic site was made for reasons other than the merits of its architectural style. Victoria Hall represents the culmination of three decades of achievement in Canada’s early industrial development. (Submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
2. Victoria Hall Marker
The plaque in front of the bell reads:
As part of Victoria Hall design for the Town of Petrolia in 1889, this bell served our area for over 100 years. During the fire of January 25th 1989 it fell from the tower. It sits here as a tribute to the vibrant spirit of this community.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
3. Victoria Hall
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
4. Victoria Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
