By Phil Egan for the Sarnia Journal

When I was only 10 years old, back in 1957, my father bought me my first camera. It was small,
and ridiculously easy to operate. You loaded in film, pointed the camera and clicked the shutter
button. It was called a Brownie.

For about two years, I went on a rampage of taking photos. I took pictures at Rock Glen, at
Hanna playground and shot dozens of photos of childhood buddies.

Now that I’m 70, I wish I’d taken more photos of our changing city. I wish I had photos of the old
post office on Davis Street, with its iconic clock tower. I remember going there with my Dad on
Saturday mornings to pick up his mail.

I wished I’d taken photos of the old Armoury on Christina Street, the carnivals that used to set
up at the foot of London Road on the waterfront, and the now-vanished places like the old
Hambone Restaurant, the Pine Room bar at the Vendome Hotel where I used to tend bar, and
the vanished third floor of the Royal Bank building at Christina and George.

The face of a city changes with surprising rapidity.

Not long ago, I came across a 1989 “Dining Guide” to Sarnia. The year 1989 was not that long
ago, but perusing its pages brought back memories of many vanished businesses.

Granny’s Chicken Coop claimed to offer “the best barbecued chicken in town” back in 1989. The
current site of Stokes Inland was home to McGinnis Landing, and Ruby’s Piano Bar on Front
Street advertised steak and seafood “in an elegant setting.”

The Fireside Inn provided an “all you can eat Super Sunday buffet,” while home-style cooking
and a bake shop were available at the Apple Tree Inn. Chaucer’s Steak House in the
Canterbury Inn sold a “Canterburger” for $4.65. The Canterbury Inn is now the Lambton College
student residence and banquet hall..

You could enjoy a prime rib of beef dinner at Williams Beef Parlor for $9.95 or savour the
“tastiest view of Sarnia” at JB’s Harbour House on Sarnia Bay.

In Point Edward, live entertainment, dining and dancing were available at the Bridge Tavern. On
Venetian Boulevard, the Sea Shell Restaurant across from the tourist info building served up a
daily lunch buffet for $6.95.

A directory featured a host of forgotten eateries. These included Calhoun’s at the Happy Valley
Tavern, the old Bunsen Burner on Vidal Street and the Continental Restaurant on Mitton Street,
where I remember my first taste of “pizza pie” in 1960.

What’s the lesson left by these and other lost businesses? Capture the sights of your changing
city now, while you can.

It’s easier now. There’s no pricy film to purchase and develop.