MicMac gasoline production at the NB Gas and Oilfields started in 1931. A filling station located at the present day site of Doug Steeves Museum operated by Claude and Alonzo Fales ran from 1939 until the mid 1940s. Another was located near the Staples store on East Main Street in Moncton ran from 1940 - 1942. The period pump with the glass bowl, installed in 1937, was used to fill service vehicles on the oil field.

Gasoline had no additives and would ping if you had a heavy foot. Lead additive could only be purchased if production topped 1 million barrels. Initially the refinery was required to remove volatile light distillates so that the remaining heavy fuel could be burned locally. Gasoline production started in 1931 continuing until 1988. What was not used on the station was shipped to the Esso refinery in Dartmouth.

This photo taken c1911 shows a group of American and local investors in front of “the gas house” in Stoney Creek. This was the first house, serving as company headquarters, to have natural gas, November, 1909 from well #5 down the road about a kilometre. This well was abandoned in 2008.

There are 36 people in this photo. Notice the man in the extreme right – a gas lamp appears next to him. A dish towel dries on the line hung there by Bessie Steeves who operated a boarding house. Some names are known. From L-R: 1st E.A. Reilly, former Moncton mayor; 3rd Fred Jones of Jones Lake fame; 7th Capt Masters, business man and future mayor; to right of center post and hatless Sam Winter, prominent businessman.

Searching through the photos available, I came across this photo showing two Mounties at Emery Shaffer’s Garage & Service Station in Fundy National Park in the early 1970’s. To all of the men and women who stand in harms way, know that you’re in our thoughts and prayers.

Back to school Monday, in an “Only in Albert County” moment, with the Weldon Church (up) and School (down). The building was replaced by a one-storey church in the 1960s. There can't have been many church + school combinations like this anywhere!

Hopping in the car for a Sunday drive through the Shenstone Covered Bridge. Anyone have any stories around this bridge?

Saturday is a good day for train watching, here is the Salisbury and Albert Locomotive #5 crossing the Petitcodiac River at Salisbury. This bridge was taken by ice March 1912.

Continuing our way around the county with a stop in Hillsborough looking towards Surrey in the early 1900’s. First Building on the left was A blacksmith Shop, now it is the modern Post Office. The Albert Manufacturing Office is the first Building on the right.

An interesting shot of Edgetts Landing taken in the early 1930’s. The Big Cape in the background.

To Hopewell Cape and the County Court House in this 1957 photo. An interesting fact is the oak tree on the left of the courthouse was planted in commemoration of the Coronation of King George VI in 1936/37. So in this photo it would be 20 years old.

And now a trip to Hopewell Hill, NB with this 1906 Postcard.

Back to School Monday with the Riverside Consolidated School. This school was built largely due to the influence and financial backing of Abner Reid McClelan. All the the local one room school houses were consolidated into one large modern school. The Riverside Consolidated School was opened in 1905.

Happy Easter Sunday! Here is a postcard from 1912 showing Saint Mary’s Church in Hillsborough. It’s an amazing piece of architecture.