This huge 5-bedroom red brick home was originally the home of Charles Jenkins, manager of Western Oil Company. Later the Edward family occupied it and Fred Edward furnished it with exquisite rugs, brass and glass from Persia. Mr. Edward was one of the hundreds of drillers to open oil fields around the world. During his stay in the Middle East Lawrence of Arabia who rescued him from native raids on the oil fields befriended him.
 The home dominates Crescent Park situated stage center on the South end of the circle.  

For an interesting article on Dr.Mary Lee Edward click on her pic.
One of the first Woman Doctors anywhere.
Sorry don't remeber who gave me this item

This home was built ca. 1877. It features a very pleasing double story bay window and graces the entrance to Crescent Park. It also has a very interesting Deco garage.
 

The home was built by Henry Warren Lancey ca. 1878. It is typical of the Italianate Villa – a low angled roof, boxed cornices with brackets, tall windows, ornate gingerbread on the verandah and massive square proportions. Built for entertaining, all the rooms are large, well planned and airy. 
 

Major Benjamin S. VanTuyl and John H. Fairbank operated the largest hardware store west of Toronto in the 1880s. Both, as most Petrolia pioneers, were American expatriates who fled the USA during the start of the Civil War. The house is an impressive structure with pillars forming the large frontal gallery. Floor to ceiling windows and iron cresting draw the eye up to accentuate height. The heavy front door is oak and flanked by leaded glass windows and a transom. The home was originally furnished with Waterford chandeliers and brass hardware. A very interesting point about the property is the original carriage step made of cement with the name of VanTuyl embossed on it, which sits on the front lawn.It was for a lady's comfort while stepping from a horse drawn buggy to the ground. 
 

                This imposing home was the third home built in Crescent Park and was the residence of Petrolia's first Mayor George Moncrieff.Later it became the Corey residence. They were instrumental in developing the marketing strategies during the oil boom days. Mrs. Corey’s father operated the town’s largest mercantile store Scarsbrooks, retailing Royal Crown Derby and Waterford crystal to its affluent clientele. The Corey’s still run the oil business. The home has had extensive renovations and  
                    still retains its original combination oil and electric chandeliers and original Quezel shades. This home is magnificent and with huge rooms and an impressive staircase.  The home ranks as one of the finest in town. 
 

The Laton Mansion retains its original lighting. The shower drop fixture on the left has 7.5"  shades by the Quezel Art Glass & Decorating Co.,
with 21/4" fitters. Quezel was named after the bird from South America.
Martin Bach started the company after leaving Tiffany Studios in 1901. The
chandelier in the middle is a brass and black iron oil, electric and candle fixture. This magnificent chandelier has gothic masks and rosette details. At the front foyer is this pair of gothic sconces. Both ceiling fixtures are pre 1905. 

              A magnificent example of Gothic Revival Style Architecture situated in Crescent Park. It has steeply pitched gables capped with finials and pendants, iron cresting and a fine conservatory on the front with ogee patterned panes. Henry Warren Lancey built the home ca. 1876. The first owner was Lemuel Cole a local Oil Baron. 
          The original fireplace in the front room has carved wild roses and figural details as well as typical Victorian Majolica tiles and is flanked by angled windows. The home was designated under the Heritage Act in 1984. Lancey Hall is a favorite on Heritage tours and the owners display numerous antiques and local historical photographs.
           The owners have restored and installed gasoliers and other period lighting throughout the home. Further to this the owners smash Designation myths by improving the home with numerous sensible and sympathetic improvements that enhance the homes historic and period beauty. For more on Heritage Designation see the links page on this website. 
           These are some interesting events that were going on during the building of this home in the spring of 1876:

1876 -July 4, United States Centennial Celebration 
1876 -November 7, American Presidential election yields no clear winner 
1876 -Thomas A. Edison builds his first laboratory in Menlow Park, NJ 
1876 -March 10, Alexander Graham Bell holds world's first two-way telephone conversation with Watson, in Boston 
1876 -George Bradley throws the first no-hitter in National League history 
  *1876 June 25, Custer's Last Stand - Indian Chief Crazy Horse wins the two-hour Battle of Little Bighorn, Montana, wiping out the army of General George Armstrong Custer. Custer, who led the battle against the Sioux Indian encampment, is among the 200+ casualties 

This Italianate home was built ca. 1875 for Dr Mearns a GP and former Petrolia mayor. For more than 40 years it was the home of the Fairbanks the worlds oldest oil producing family. In the lower right corner of this pic note the original cement carriage step.The Mcphees have done extensive renovations to the home that opens onto Crescent Park and with its carved window frames and ornate bay windows it is an impressive home and a highlight when touring the town.
 

A very early drawing of McPhee House
 
 
 

This was one of the last homes built in Crescent Park ca. 1896. It was built as the Anglican Church Manse during the administration of the Rev. Canon Wm. Craig. The square frame round headed windows and large verandah typify the Italianate style of this house. The yellow stained glass window at the front adds character. The interior features simple lines.  The room to the left, once used as an office, is currently restored to the original.  Baseboards and windows have been stripped to reveal oak hardwood.  A yellow brick wall was discovered under a plaster wall thus exposing the original hearth.
The rectory was built with a sparse interior, yet features an elaborately carved staircase that climbs to the third floor. The Tullys have renovated their home for the comfort of their bed and breakfast guests.
The tasteful decoration and period antiques are only part of the charm of the home as Gord and Betty add the rest with their fine friendly approach to hosting their home, making it a definite favorite on tours.
 
 

                   A fine example of Gothic Revival Architecture with its original iron cresting. It has been home to some prominent Petrolians. LB Vaughn & JH Fairbank built the first house on the site in 1885 for Theo  H. Burns. The home burnt to the ground and the current home was built in 1891 for GS  Pitkins. Mr. Pitkins was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1860 and studied law and was later with  Ann Arbor  Savings Bank. In 1880 he came to Petrolia as manager of the dry goods business of LB Vaughn. In 1881 he became a part of the Van Tuyl & Fairbank firm as accountant. Upon the death of Major BS Van Tuyl, Mr. Pitkins became the manager of the business. He was secretary and manager of the Masonic Temple Co. incorporated in 1887, an officer in Co.A, 1st Michigan State Troops, an officer in 27th Battalion of Canadian Militia, instrumental in forming the Dramatic Club. In 1888 he married Kate Hudson of Auburn NY.