IMPEROYAL VILLAGE
Imperial Oil grew from a one plant operation in Sarnia Ontario in 1911, with a capacity of 4,000 barrels per day, to five refineries across Canada, producing 30,00 barrels per day in 1920. The work force was comprised of pipefitters, machinists, masons, boiler makers, stillmen, pumpers, workers in barrelling, casing and shipping. An 84 hour work week (six 12 hour days and a 12 hour Sunday shift every other week) was the norm in those days.
Information taken from "Canadian Working Class History", Chapter 11 "Solving the Labour Problem at Imperial Oil" by H. M. Grant
tank 304 under construction, Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth, February 17, 1920, Acadia Sugar Refinery in the background
tank 304 under construction, Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth, February 17, 1920
payday on Friday, noon
Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth, March 5, 1920
View of Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery in Dartmouth, 1920
the garage is outlined in green
In 1919 Doctor F.F.P. Malcolm was hired to replace "Doc" James, who had been the onsite doctor during construction of the refinery. He set up a first aid-room where all employees could be examined. With the end of construction and the end of the Spanish Flu Epidemic his services where eventually phased out. Doctor Malcolm is photographed in the first-aid room in 1920.
Information taken from "Historic Eastern Passage", chapter 9 by John Boileau
Dartmouth's first ambulance was a Model T Ton Truck, provided by Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, photo taken in 1920
"When Imperoyal was up and running, there were no ambulances in Dartmouth, and only a horse drawn one in Halifax. Given the refinery's location, management asked company headquarters to provide a motor ambulance, which they did. The vehicle was put to good use on several occasions and was appreciated by everyone who worked and lived in the area."
taken from "Historic Eastern Passage", chapter 9 by John Boileau
patroleman's shelter Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth, March 15, 1920
Pump house at Morris Lake, March 23, 1920.
Morris Lake provided fresh water to Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery and Imperoyal Village.
Pump house at Morris Lake,
March 23, 1920.
Recording apparatus Venturimeter
Home for the pump house operator at Morris Lake. March 23, 1920
Morris Lake provided fresh water to Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery and Imperoyal Village.
Lumber Yard at Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth
July 5, 1920
Main Office for Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth
July 20, 1920
Imperoyal employees:
on the left, possibly Irving Lewis, foreman carpenter circa 1920
Imperoyal employees:
on the right, possibly Irving Lewis, foreman carpenter circa 1920
on the right, possibly Irving Lewis, foreman carpenter circa 1920
Imperoyal employees: on the right, possibly W. B. Elsworth, plant manager circa 1920
Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery, Dartmouth, railway crossing February 17, 1920
view of the back of Imperoyal Village Avenue B from Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery in Dartmouth, September 8, 1920
The ferry "Wilfred C." bringing construction workers to new pier at Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery in Dartmouth, September 21, 1920
The ferry "Wilfred C." bringing construction workers to new pier at Imperial Oil's Imperoyal Refinery in Dartmouth, September 21, 1920