Lambton County Archives
787 Broadway St. N0N 1T0 Wyoming, ON, Canada

Check out this week's photo X-files! Comprised of photographs from newspapers, family albums, and assorted donations, the X-files are stored in a dozen numbered binders and known only by their number and whatever information is written on the back. Do you recognize anyone in photo 1360? Let us know and join our Facebook group to see many more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/698482843871305 #LCArchives

We are proud to contribute to the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Point Edward Arena by providing posters with historic images from our collection for each of the vaccination pods. The images document the resilience of the community in the past when faced with adversity. This image shows the damage clean up caused by the violent F4 tornado that ripped through the city of Sarnia on May 21st, 1953. We extend our appreciation to Lambton Public Health and its community partners in establishing this clinic to support the vaccination phase of pandemic response. #LambtonStrong

Today's #MarkerMonday features the Wilksport - Lambton's Only Inland Port plaque that is located at Wilkesport Community Centre. The plaque reads Surrounded by vast, dense forest and impenetrable swamps, this area was known for its abundance of wildlife including large numbers of water snakes and rattlesnakes. The first pioneer to arrive at the forks of Black Creek and Big Bear Creek, the north branch of the Sydenham River, was Paul Sturdevant in 1830 from New York state. Ar...ound 1840, John Aston Wilkes Sr. and his family from Brantford arrived and constructed a sawmill. In 1847, the community was known as Wilkes’ Mill. At least two other sawmills followed. When the post office opened in 1852, the name was changed to Wilkesburg until becoming known as Wilkesport in 1856. The village shifted west to its current location when William Kimball, who had settled here in 1846, established the first store. The site of the original village later became known as East Wilkesport. Mariners of Great Lakes and ocean vessels loaded timber for Detroit, Great Britain and the West Indies. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, loggers stripped the virgin timber and rafters floated logs to sawmills in Wallaceburg. Drainage ditchers followed and improved the fields for agriculture. With such a large influx of rugged individuals, fights in the streets fuelled by sales of liquor from its several hotels earned Wilkesport the reputation of being one of the wildest towns in Ontario. This historic image of Wilkesport can be found at the Sombra Museum! #ExploringLambtonCounty #LCArchives

A regular feature at Lambton County Archives highlights stories from our collection. This week, we are sharing the story of Edward Ivinson and Tansey Hall. Edward Ivinson (1845-1918) was born in Cumberland, England, the son of John and Margaret (Bowman) Ivinson. As a young man, he came to Canada to seek his fortune. Edward arrived at Marthaville during the Petrolia oil boom, and saved enough money to purchase his own oil field. Edward put down numerous successful wells on his... property, and soon became a wealthy man. On November 11th, 1873, he married Dora Taylor and the couple had seven children. Edward decided to build a lavish home for his wife Tansey Hall. William Mills of Brigden designed the home, and the cornerstone was laid on June 13th, 1899. The three-story brick and stone mansion had fourteen rooms, intricate woodwork and many modern conveniences (such as hot water). Tansey Hall was sold to the Josh family in 1908, and has passed through numerous owners. The property also housed the Hebron Acres Christian Camp during the 1970s. The mansion may have also held a scandalous secret: local residents recall a brothel in the home. Tansey Hall still stands on Churchill Line (Enniskillen Lot 8, Concession 14), and has been carefully restored. This story was inspired by a recent donation. For more information about Lambton families, contact the Lambton County Archives! #LCArchives

Today's #markermonday features The Founding of Petrolia. The plaque reads "Following the discovery of oil at Oil Springs in 1857 prospectors extended their search to the entire township of Enniskillen. At the site of Petrolia, which contained two small settlements with post offices named Durance and Ennis, a well was brought into production in 1860. The following year a small refinery was opened and the Durance post office renamed Petrolea. At first, eclipsed by Oil Springs, the community developed slowly. But in 1865-66 a series of discoveries culminating in the drilling of the King well established Petrolia as a major oil producing centre in Canada and its population soared from about 300 to some 2,300. Incorporated as the village of Petrolia in 1866, it became a town on January 1, 1874." #LCArchives #ExploringLambtonCounty

Today's #markermonday features the Voyage of the Griffon 1679, located on Michigan Ave by the Bluewater Bridge, Point Edward. On its maiden voyage in 1679, the vessel reportedly encountered much difficulty in the swift current of the St. Clair River. The plaque reads "First ship to sail Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, the Griffon probably 40-45 feet long was built by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, several miles above Niagara Falls in 1679. La Salle came to New France in... 1667, became seigneur of Cataracoui (Kingston), engaged in the fur trade and sought a western route to China. In August, 1679, the Griffon sailed from the Niagara River with La Salle and a company of about thirty-three. In this vicinity the crew had to haul the ship up the swift current of the St. Clair River. La Salle remained in the West while the Griffon laden with furs, vanished en route from Green Bay to Niagara." #LCArchives #ExploringLambtonCounty

#Onthisday 10 years ago, a massive snowstorm gripped this Region for multiple days. Parts of Lambton County saw record breaking snow with hundreds stranded either in their homes, work, or vehicles. Last month we ran a campaign to collect your stories about this major snow event and have been featuring little snippits of these stories throughout the past weeks. Although it was a tumultuous time that created so much worry for their loved ones who were caught in the storm, it also brought compassion, friendship, and strength by everyone coming together to help those in need. This image is a snap of the front page of The Sarnia Observer in 2010 detailing the impacts of this massive weather event.

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Wyoming Lion's Club member and he and I went to the hall to open it up as a place for the truck drivers and travelers to start going to get warm and have a bathroom. We grabbed some frozen lasagnas and started cooking them before heading out into the storm to go truck to truck, car to car telling everyone we had opened up the hall. Later that night we quickly realized it wasn't going to be big enough so the shelter was moved to the Wyoming Fair Grounds. Stay tuned to #LCArchives as we share more stories in the coming weeks. You can also share your story on lambtonarchives.ca. We thank everyone for the wonderful submissions thus far! #Snowmageddon #EmergencyPreparedness

We landed at Detroit airport after a Carribean cruise on Dec 12. Snaking along single file until we reached the Bluewater bridge. We thought about trying to find a place to stay in Sarnia but set out for Watford. It was a horrific drive home. High Winds, blinding snow but once we got started we just stayed in the line until we got to Navoou Rd. Stay tuned to #LCArchives as we share more stories in the coming weeks. You can also share your story on lambtonarchives.ca. We thank everyone for the wonderful submissions thus far! #Snowmageddon #EmergencyPreparedness

"We bundled up blankets, pillows, and tv sets and my kids walked them to the Wyoming Fair Grounds... It was a horrible storm but an excellent learning opportunity on reaching out to others in greater need." #Snomageddon #EmergencyPreparedness Interested in hearing more about Snowmageddon or sharing your story? We are hosting a live Virtual Community Forum via zoom tonight. You can register by following the link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DBtZMez8SU-I3xMgj2rUxQ. Stay tuned to #LCArchives as we share more stories in the coming weeks. You can also share your story on lambtonarchives.ca. We thank everyone for the wonderful submissions thus far! County of Lambton

Today's #MarkerMonday features The Founding of Point Edward. This plaque is located at the municipal office, 36 St. Clair Street, Point Edward. The plaque reads "In 1838, John Slocum, a native of New York, established a commercial fishery on the site of a former military reserve here where the St. Clair River flows out of Lake Huron. The area remained sparsely populated until 1859, when it became the crossing point into the U.S. for the Grand Trunk Railway. Rapid development ...followed and, in 1864, a town plan was laid out for the community called Point Edward, reportedly after Queen Victoria's father, Edward, Duke of Kent. In 1870, a steamship service was inaugurated to transport immigrants and supplies to western Canada and, by 1875, the town contained stores, hotels, sawmills and large immigration sheds. Five years later, it was incorporated as a village with a population of more than one thousand." This image features the old Point Edward train station. #LCArchives #ExploringLambtonCounty

"The best part of the event was everyone working together to help so many that were strangers and the safety protocols that we had in place worked very well. I was very proud of everyone who did what they could to provide comfort and shelter to others... rescue the stranded... and open the county back up so quickly in such an unselfish way." - excerpt from a submission by Steve Arnold who was Warden of Lambton County when the 2010 major snow event occurred. Interested in hea...ring more about Snowmageddon or sharing your story? We are hosting a live Virtual Community Forum via zoom tonight. You can register by following the link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DBtZMez8SU-I3xMgj2rUxQ. Stay tuned to #LCArchives as we share more stories throughout the day and in the coming weeks. You can also share your story on lambtonarchives.ca. We thank everyone for the wonderful submissions thus far!

Today, we are sharing another recipe for the #historicrecipe: Mrs. Huston's Butterless, Milkless and Eggless Cake. Mary Ellen Atkinson (1879-1953) was born in Caradoc Township, the daughter of Francis and Grace (Philips) Atkinson. She married Robert William Huston on March 13th, 1901 in Glencoe. Robert became a Section Forman on the Canadian National Railway, and the couple eventually settled at 402 Savoy Street in Sarnia. Mary Ellen contributed this ration-friendly cake reci...pe to the 'Victory Cookbook', which was compiled by the Women's Association of St. Paul's United Church in Sarnia. Victory Cookbooks were often published to raise money for the war effort, and many included recipes for times of rationing. This World War II-era recipe book can be found at the Lambton County Archives! Mrs. Huston's Butterless, Milkless and Eggless Cake: 2 cups brown sugar, 2/3 cup Crisco, 2 cups water, 1 cups sultana raisins, 1 cups seeded raisins, 1 cup dates, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cloves, teaspoon mace. Put on and boil 5 minutes. When cool add the other ingredients: 1 teaspoon baking powder, 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons soda dissolved in 3 tablespoons hot water. Add 10 cents worth of walnut meats. Bake in a slow oven 1 hour and a half.

Today's #markermonday features The Founding of Forest. This plaque is located in front of Forest Library, 61 King Street West, Forest. The plaque reads "In 1858, Timothy Resseguie laid out the first village lots, and the opening of a railway station here in 1859 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia provided the nucleus around which this community grew. A general store was opened and it was followed by other commercial enterprises. An Anglican church was established in 1861 and, the following year, a post office was opened. Grist-mills and sawmills were constructed and the community flourished as a trans-shipment centre. With a population of over 750, Forest, in 1872, was incorporated as a village in accordance with a Lambton County bylaw, and in 1889 it became a town." #LCArchives #ExploringLambtonCounty

Thank you for this great series and including #LCArchives as one of your speakers! Lambton Heritage Museum has a four part lecture series running in conjunction with their feature exhibition "Capturing the Moment: Photography in Lambton County". Interested in learning more? Follow the post below or check out lambtonmuseums.ca

A regular feature at #LCArchives highlights stories from our collection. This week, we are sharing story from the Home-Front: "Imperial Oil Employees Volunteer Services As Nurses and To Plasma Clinic." In World War II, defensive measures were taken on the Home-Front to prepare for emergencies and disasters. As skilled medical practitioners and nurses were called away to Europe, civilians volunteered their services for the protection of their local communities. Among these civ...ilians were the female employees of Imperial Oil Limited, who spent their leisure time training as volunteer nurses. These women formed the Imperial Oil Nursing Division of St. John's Ambulance Brigade, and were trained as front-line emergency responders. Many of these women underwent further practical and advanced training, and became regular donors to the Sarnia Plasma Clinic. They were just "doing their part" for the war-effort. The Imperial Oil Nursing Division included: Bessie Galbraith, Nora McNamara, Beatrice Dennis, Irene Norman, Hazel Sinclair, Elmira Brown, Patsy Russell, Betty Griffith, Isabel Dennis, Marion Bird, Sally Smith, Edna Richards, Norma Brown, Jean Fraser, Jean Rowell, Margaret Murray, Margaret Rice, Edith Dyble. Lois Hamilton, and Betty Pontefract were also members, but were absent from the picture. Also pictured are: Mrs. E. Doner (lady divisional superintendent), Mrs. W.B. Carruthers (nursing sister), Miss M. Murray (registered nurse) and Mrs. M. Beach (ambulance officer) who were involved in the volunteer training program. This story, published in the Sarnia Observer on July 24th, 1942, was discovered in a recent donation of newspaper clippings! For more information on Lambton's war-time history, visit the Lambton County Archives!

Today's #MarkerMonday features Pauline McGibbon. The plaque is located in Pauline McGibbon Park at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre, 180 North College Avenue, Sarnia. The plaque reads " The first woman to hold a vice-regal office in Canada, Pauline Emily Mills, was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1910. After local schooling and a degree at Victoria College, University of Toronto, she married Donald Walker McGibbon in 1935. A life-long volunteer and supporter of the arts, Mrs.... McGibbon became president of the Dominion Drama Festival in 1948 and national president of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire in 1963. She was the first woman to lead such organizations as the Canadian Conference of the Arts (1972) and the National Arts Centre (1980). In 1974 McGibbon was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1974-1980) where she focused on culture and the arts. She was honoured as a Companion of the Order of Canada (1980) and a member of the Order of Ontario (1988). Once described as "Ontario's Eve" for all her "first woman" achievements, the Honourable Pauline McGibbon dedicated her life to the betterment of her community, province and nation." #LCArchives #ExploringLambtonCounty See more

Have you seen our photo X-files? Comprised of photographs from newspapers, family albums, and assorted donations, the X-files are stored in a dozen numbered binders and known only by their number and whatever is written on the back. This week features a young child watching a parade. Could you help us identify the individuals in photo #0676?