Lambton County’s heritage is characterized by a unique “discovery that matters”. In 1858, while drilling a water well for his company, James Miller Williams struck oil. This unexpected discovery ended up solidifying our area in the history books through the creation of North America’s first commercial oil well.
From that time, our area has been known as pioneers in the petroleum industry. From the world’s first petroleum company, to the world’s longest-producing oil family, the discovery over 150 years ago has provided an industrial base that has continued to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Lambton County.
Here are some other Lambton County Heritage Discoveries That Matter:
- World’s first petroleum company established (1852)
- First Commercial oil field in North America (1858)
- Canada’s first oil gusher (1862)
- Founding of Imperial Oil refineries at Petrolia and London (1880)
- First Natural Gas gusher drilled in Canada (1914)
- First natural gas trading hub. (1982)