By Phil Egan – Special to the Sarnia Journal, Then and Now. Sarnians passing by the River City Vineyard church and homeless shelter on Mitton Street might be surprised to learn that this location was once the heartbeat of one of Sarnia’s most celebrated industries. It happened like this. In [...]
By Phil Egan - Special to The Sarnia Journal, Then and Now. (2015) What began as a search for oil led to the discovery of salt. The discovery of oil in Lambton County in the late 19th century had many believing that vast wealth might be just around the corner. [...]
by Phil Egan In the middle of the 19th century, there were over 1,000 sawmills operating in Ontario. It had become the normal course of development when settlers began to establish new hamlets and villages. They wanted to build, and that meant they needed a sawmill. George Durand built the [...]
by Phil Egan (2015) A key part of Canadian rail history is being lovingly repaired and renovated thanks to the dedication of a group of steam engine enthusiasts and the support of city council. Peter and Paul Whitfield, Chris Wiley, Dwayne Ross and Brandon Freuth originally met with the city [...]
By Phil Egan. Special to The Sarnia Journal (2015) At age six in 1953, I used to board a bus from my home on Maud Street in Point Edward to journey across town to Our Lady of Mercy School at Christina and Durand Streets. One day after school, daydreaming, I [...]
By Phil Egan, Special to The Sarnia Journal (2015) She was, in many ways, Sarnia royalty. Her grandfather was Captain Richard Emeric Vidal, one of the three founding fathers of the city. Charlotte Street was named for her. She was the daughter of Alexander Vidal, manager of the Bank of [...]
by Phil Egan It happened 148 years ago, but it was a massive, destructive blaze the likes of which Sarnia hasn’t see before or since. The fire that tore across Sarnia’s commercial downtown district on the night of Thursday, November 14, 1867, destroyed Sarnia’s business core, but it could have [...]
by Phil Egan Special for The Sarnia Journal He arrived by way of London and the old Errol Road, driving a team of oxen and a cart filled with goods he intended to sell. His destination was the collection of log shanties huddled together at “The Rapids.” He was 28 [...]
by Phil Egan Special to The Sarnia Journal Sarnians, and Ontarians in general, have had a tempestuous experience over the years with the practice of purchasing liquor. It wasn’t always as easy as it is today. In fact, there was a time not too long ago when it was pretty [...]
by Phil Egan Special to The Sarnia Journal (2015) It is a warm evening in early July, 1910. King George V is in his second month on the throne of the British Empire. Sir Wilfred Laurier is Prime Minister. You have just boarded the 100 foot long ferry, Skater at [...]
