Heritage Community Foundation Presents
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
Albertans
HOME ABOUT PARTNERS SEARCH SITEMAP

   
Celebrating Oil's Promise of Prosperitypage 3

Kerr has included news accounts of that first flow of oil through the pipes, reporting Vern Hunter saying, "You could hear it like a train approaching when you put your ear to the pipe." When the well ceased production in 1974, he mused as he looked back, "We were just men working for a wage... At the time everyone was very pleased of course, but you know, we didn't know what it meant."

Indeed, mindful of the significance of Leduc to our understanding of the geology of our province, Imperial Oil has left a legacy directly related to the 1947 strikes. Two years ago, it donated $230,000 to the Royal Tyrell Museum for a life size diorama that recreates a 370 million year old Devonian limestone reef environment—the source of oil which has done so much for the company and Alberta.

"It's clear the discovery of oil at Leduc was a defining moment for Imperial, the industry and the province," asserts Miles Shaw, a public affairs advisor to Imperial Oil Limited. "It provided the basis for establishing the conventional oil industry," he adds. "Leduc was the stepping stone for much bigger discoveries later on, such as Redwater, West Pembina, and Bonnie Glen.

To commemorate that 'defining moment,' Imperial Oil has invited over 200 guests to an anniversary celebration for Leduc #1 on February 13. Members of the original crew, their descendants, industry executives, politicians, members of the Leduc/Devon Oilfield Historical Society, and media will be there. Speakers will recall the historic day. Videos, historic photos and original film will show the well coming in and an outdoor display will simulate it, capped by fireworks. Then, it's off to dine at the Hotel Macdonald, ending the day as Imperial's guests did 50 years ago.
« previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | next »
 
Reprinted with the permission of Barbara Dacks and Legacy (Winter 1997): 14-19.
 
Back |  Top
 
Visit Alberta Source!
Heritage Community Foundation
Canada's Digital Collections

timeline »  

Albertasource.ca | Contact Us | Partnerships
            For more on Alberta’s cultural diversity, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.
Copyright © Heritage Community Foundation All Rights Reserved