394 Station Street, Petrolia

www.vantuylfairbank.ca

If you are the type that likes to while away the hours in hardware stores searching out treasures then this is the place for you. No big box store can compare to over 100 years of continuous business. If this store were not still in existence the oil heritage district would certainly look a lot different.

Daytripping

Van Tuyl and Fairbank

To the east of the library is the corner of Petrolia Line and Station Street. In this block is where Van Tuyl and Fairbank Hardware opened in 1865. Originally a grocery and liquor store, it soon expanded into hardware and oil supplies. In the early 1870’s it was the largest hardware store west of Toronto. After the stock market crash in 1929, the Fairbank family sold the store front on Petrolia Street, but has remained in business until the present day. Although entry into the 21st century has required some changes, the products available for the heritage oil industry, farmers and general consumers have not varied widely. You can still buy nails by the pound. Van Tuyl & Fairbank Hardware is now located down Station St. on the right. Take a thorough walk through the store and into yesteryear.

A large mural can be seen on the Fairbank barn. The oil wagon and horse team illustration was also used as the Van Tuyl and Fairbank hardware store logo as early as 1867.