by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer The public can be fickle. Joshua Adams, the first Sarnia Mayor to be defeated at the polls, found that out the hard way. Mayor Adams, who was elected the community's fifth Chief Magistrate in 1862, started out as an exceedingly popular politician. But [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer In the early years of its history, Sarnia turned to a doctor to help cure its economic ills. Specifically, the community selected Thomas William Johnston as its fourth Mayor in 1859. And it chose the Irish native to head Council two more times, [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer He was the man who helped open Sarnia up to the outside world. Henry Glass, the municipality's third Mayor, took over as Head of Council at a time when the community was extremely isolated. The year was 1858 and Sarnia had to rely [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer Call him the forgotten Mackenzie brother. Hope Fleming Mackenzie, Sarnia’s second Mayor, was a man whose considerable political achievements were completely overshadowed by those of a very famous sibling. Indeed, his baby brother, Alexander, went on to become Prime Minister of Canada. Still, [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer You might say he was the John A. Macdonald of Sarnia politicians. Or maybe the Richard M. Nixon. Thomas Forsyth was the community's first Mayor, serving from March 28, 1857 until he was forced to resign under a cloud five months later. The [...]
The following 3 videos cover the devastating Tornado that ripped through Sarnia in 1953.
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 Randy Evans (2014) August 5th, 2014 marks the centenary of Canada’s entry into the First World War. The Declaration of War upon Germany began a cross-country enlistment and the eventual conscription of some 600,000 individuals who would make up the Canadian Expeditionary Force. With a population of just 10,000 [...]
By Tyler Kula for the Sarnia Observer (2015) A piece of Sarnia's military history could be headed back to its former resting place, thanks to a group of local historians. The 'Big Tom' cannon, long a landmark and meeting place in Canatara Park, is more than just a ceremonial centrepiece, [...]
by Lawrence A. Crich (1986) No history of early education in Sarnia would be complete without some mention of the efforts of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in Upper Canada on the St. Clair Indian Reserve. The Reserve then covered a much greater area than its modern counterpart stretching north [...]
