By Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer
William J. Scott’s main claim to fame is that he played a role in the development of Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Scott, who was elected our 46th Chief Magistrate in 1928, talked senior government officials into creating the popular – and controversial – North Lambton campground.
Born in Oxford County, he came to Sarnia as a young man in 1904 in order to set up his own bakery.
Later, he became a well known real estate agent and insurance salesman.
Developing an interest in municipal politics, Scott ran for City Council in 1927, winning a seat as an Alderman.
He served seven years on Council before moving up to the Mayor’s chair. Scott succeeded his friend and next door neighbour James Newton, as the City’s top politician.
He took over at a time when land developers wanted to get their hands on 377 acres of Stoney Point Indian Reserve that would eventually become home to both a Canadian army base and Ipperwash Provincial Park.
Part of the property was acquired by non-natives in 1928, paving the way for the 107-acre park, which opened in 1936. The rest of the land was expropriated by the Federal Government in 1942 for the creation of a military base.
According to a 1952 story in The Observer, “Mr. Scott was very active in the development of the property at lpperwash Beach and the opening of the Ipperwash Park. In these projects he gained the support of Ross W. Gray, then MP for Lambton and the Hon. Peter Heenan, then Minister of Lands and Forests”.
Nearly 6 years after lpperwash opened, it became the scene of a bloody clash between aboriginals who said it contains a native burial ground and OPP. One man was killed in the altercation and two others were injured.
The Park closed while authorities attempted to resolve the native land claim surrounding it.
During Mayor Scott’s administration the City also began stressing the need for traffic safety.
“During Mr. Scott’s term of office as Mayor the first safety drive to be held in the City was launched”, The Observer noted.
Scott, who was married to Mary Lockhart, was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his interest in politics, he was an avid golfer and curler.
Scott died in St. Joseph’s Hospital on July 25, 1952.