First Oil Wells in Canada

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2009

Plaque Location

The County of Lambton
The Village of Oil Springs
At the Oil Museum of Canada
on the northwest corner of Gum Bed Line and Kelly Road
2 km from the intersection of Oil Springs Line and
Oil Heritage Road (Road 21) in Oil Springs
via south on Oil Heritage Road then east on Gum Bed Line

Coordinates: N 42 46.332 W 82 07.263

Plaque Text

The presence of oil in this locality was observed by early travellers and by the pioneer farmers who used it for medical purposes. In 1858, near Oil Springs, James M. Williams dug the first oil well in Canada and later established a refinery at Hamilton. In 1861, John Shaw, by drilling into the rock, opened the first flowing well, its situation being Lot 18, Concession 2, Enniskillen Township. From these beginnings developed one of Canada's most important industries.

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