It isn’t every day someone walks into The Journal office with an original, unpublished photograph of Adolf Hitler. But such was the case recently when Sarnia’s John Helle arrived with a page from the family snapshot album.This image shows the Nazi Führer entering the village of Kurort-Jonsdorf in the fall [...]

Clean-up duties were a part of life for summer campers at Camp Kenny, later known as Camp Lamrecton. Here, Lee Abrams, Raymond Wheeler, John Stewart and Bill Peters wash and put away dishes during a summer camp held in 1950. Photo courtesy, Lambton County Archives, Sarnia Observer Negative Collection (00967-00). [...]

Frank Dombrowski of the U.S. Army congratulates Canadian Captain Bill Drinkwater following the ‘Tea Bowl’ game played at White City Stadium in London, England in 1944. Photo courtesy Capt. Jack H. Smith/ Dept. of National Defence Tom SlaterOne wet winter evening in 1944 Canadian Major Dennis Whitaker, a former CFL [...]

U.S. Navy Ensign John Blunt became a business giant in Sarnia’s industrial life. Phil Egan While reviewing a mass of historical research documents recently a story caught my eye. “Describes Beachhead,” The Observer story was entitled. “Ensign John Blunt at Rotary Club” It described a Dec. 5, 1943 presentation delivered [...]

The Dionne quintuplets starred in three Hollywood feature films as well as numerous newsreels and documentaries. Phil EganIn 1936 any connection to the Dionne quintuplets was certain to attract a crowd. Ever since their miraculous births two years earlier, the Dionne quintuplets and their lives had generated countless news stories [...]

This remarkable photo taken in May of 1917 shows jubilant Canadian “Byng Boys” returning after beating the Germans at Vimy Ridge. Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001451 Journal Staff Ceremonies are being held across Canada and in France this weekend to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the [...]

The ill-fated Pendergast Fence Company set up shop in a building leased at the Mueller Manufacturing Company, a sprawling complex once located on Clifford Street. Photo courtesy, Lambton County Archives, Wyoming. Photographic collection, 6-C Phil Egan It began with the promise of new jobs and ended with accusations of fraud [...]

Veteran’s Park is seen in this rare 1900 photo of a “Welcome Home” celebration for returning Boer War soldiers. In the background is the second Congregational Church at the corner of Victoria and Wellington streets. The now spireless building is today an apartment complex. Photo courtesy, Sarnia: A Picture History [...]

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France bears the names of 28 soldiers from Sarnia killed with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Submitted Photo Journal Staff It is the stuff of legend, with echoes of sacrifice, heroism and anguish. The 100th Anniversary of the famous First [...]

Polly lived at the old George Street fire hall, which was on the north side of George near the intersection of Victoria Street. Built in 1859 it was razed for parking when the East Street fire hall opened in 1965. Photo courtesy, Sarnia Historical Society Phil EganIt was a death [...]