Petrolia - Boys Own Fire Hall
Posted by: 
Hard Oiler
N 42° 52.890 W 082° 08.105
17T E 407303 N 4748280
The East End Firehall in Petrolia, also known as the Old Boy's Firehall, was built in 1889
Waymark Code: WMG7X
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 07/03/2006
Views: 31
During the oil boom in Petrolia, three firehalls battled to extinguish local blazes. The first company to reach the fire was paid one dollar regardless of whether the fire was put out or not. On many occasions the firemen would duke it out on the street while the building burned itself out.
The East End Firehall closed as an active firehall around 1920 and in 1975 was nearly demolished by a developer. An Ontario Heritage designation, one of the first in Petrolia, came to the rescue and a local contractor modernized the interior for residential use while the exterior has been maintained almost exactly the way it was in 1889.
I'm curious about the word Union on the corner stone. Whether it refers to a Union or whether it is an early name for the street it's on (now Petrolia Line) I don't know. 1st Avenue on the other corner is still 1st Avenue
