plaque quest

Black Gold

An Owenite experiment, a landmark 1858 oil strike, and the industry that followed

Preview onlyLambton County5 stopsEst. 1 hr 2 mins driving between stops
  • History deep dive
  • Good for a day out
Explore these placesPreview in progress
Interpretive collage of oil derricks, refineries and the St. Clair River for Black Gold.

A preview of the stories

Five visitor stops across Sarnia–Lambton follow early oil production, Petrolia, the St. Clair Tunnel, Point Edward and the St. Clair River at Guthrie Park. The nearby International Boundary marker remains historical context until a safe visitor approach is confirmed.

Starts nearOil SpringsEnds nearGuthrie Park, Corunna

Map data & attributions

Interpretive collage of a Lambton County farm clearing giving way to a horizon filled with three-pole oil derricks.

Story threads

  • The Maxwell commune and its experiment in shared ownership
  • The first commercial oil wells in Lambton County
  • Petrolia’s growth around oil production and refining
  • The St. Clair Tunnel and cross-border rail
  • The Griffon story and the history of the St. Clair crossing
Explore these placesPreview in progress