This series, along the recently improved Petrolia Discovery Trail system in Bridgeview Conservation Area, visits several locations highlighting the history of this area. Please note that Petrolia Parks are closed between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
Back in the 1880's this area of Petrolia was known as the flats and was criss-crossed with oil wells and jerker lines. Bear Creek took a different route going to where the covered bridge is now and then south under Petrolia Line further west than the current bridge. There was another bridge here where the cache is hidden that gave access from Petrolia Line to the Flats. There were several buildings, stores and a church, many built on stilts as the area often flooded during the spring thaw (and still does). This postcard from around 1900 shows a winter scene of the flats.
The cache is a camoed bison tube with just a logbook and pencil and is winter friendly .and hopefully now flood proof.