Sarnia Chatham and Erie Railway Company stock certificate circa 1876 (Canada)

Uncommon Canadian rail piece with elaborate printing including an embellished side design for the share value.  Unissued and not cancelled. Circa 1876 from company records. Dated 18__.

Incorporated in 1876, the business was originally named Dresden and Oil Railway (1875) but altered its route and changed its name to take advantage of a faltering Erie and Huron Railroad.  Stops. like Petrolia and Oil Springs were the center of petroleum production in Canada.

In January 1878, the Sarnia, Chatham & Erie Railway opened between Oil City and Petrolia. Oil City to Oil Springs built around 1884 - extended to Edys Mills around 1888.  In July 1904, the Canadian Southern Railway  absorbed the Leamington and St. Clair Railway, as well as the Sarnia, Chatham and Erie Railways, becoming the Petrolia, Oil Springs and Leamington branches.