George Russell held a prominent position in Sarnia in the last half of the 1800’s.

He was a local politician (Reeve-1866) but most notably a businessman.  As advertised, Russell’s founding of The Sarnia Brewery Co. Ltd. in 1861-1862 ensured that the locals would have an ample supply of alcoholic malts “In Wood and Bottle and quantity to suit purchasers.”

With this background it is perhaps not surprising that within Sarnia historical circles it is generally accepted that Russell St. was name d for George Russell.

However this was not the case.

Research shows that the name Russell St had no connection to the brewer whatsoever.  The evidence for this conclusion is as follows:

  1. Russell St. first shows up in the 1855 Registered Plan of Survey # 14 for Sarnia.  At that time Russell had not yet even been in Sarnia.  He arrived in 1861 some six years after the naming of the street.
  2. At the time of the 1855 Plan Russell was only 15 years old. Not being related to any of the then landowners there would be no apparent reason for the street being named for him at this age.
  3. Over the years a number of Survey Plans relating to the street were registered with the authorities. None of these plans show George Russell as having any proprietary interest in the lands involved.
  4. The lands on which Russell St. was originally named and developed were owned firstly by Malcolm Cameron and, thereafter, through a partnership headed by the Vidal family. Both the Camerons and the Vidals were fervent supporters of temperance.  Being always sober it is extremely doubtful that these leading Sarnia families would name a portion of their lands after a brewer.

That being the case who was the street named after?

Lord John Russell was an English parliamentarian who served the reformist movement for 31 years including two stints as Prime Minister.

Of significance three of Russell’s colleagues and political allies were John Bright, Richard Cobden and Lord Palmerston.  The names Bright and Cobden join that of Russell on Plan 14.   Palmerston was named as a Sarnia street later.

Of further significance is that in 1855 John Russell was the motherland’s Secretary of State for the Colonies a fact of influence which would not be lost on clans Cameron and Vidal.

For Russell St. Lord John Russell has our vote.