Sarnia Heritage

Address: 127 Christina Street South

Designation Date: Feb. 27, 1978

Lumber baron, William F. Lawrence built this Queen Anne style house in 1892 at a cost of $30,000. This building is an interesting example of high Victorian eclectic architecture which stands on the north-west corner of Wellington and Christina Streets in Sarnia. It was built in 1892 by W. F. Lawrence and served as the family home until the death of his widow in 1940 and remained in the family ownership until 1977, when Carroll H. Lawrence, a grandson of the original builder, presented this house to the City to be restored and maintained for the beneficial use of the citizens of Sarnia, to stand as a memorial to a family which has played a substantial role in the developing of Canada and the City-of Sarnia.

Highlights of the structure’s interior include a large alcove stairway, 5 spacious bedrooms on the second floor and a tower room on the third floor that served as a children’s games room.

The exterior features the tower, the circular bay window in the southeast corner of the second level, and the tall, decorated chimney on the south side of the house.

Thanks to the generosity of Suncor, a local industry, the Lawrence House was renovated and served as an art and audio-visual centre of the Sarnia Public Library.  It is now home to the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts.

Address: 286 Vidal Street North

Designation Date: May 19, 1987

Beautiful designated Victorian Heritage Home of Queen Anne style, built in 1894 for Thomas Cook, mayor. Then purchased by Scott Misener, Canadian shipping tycoon.

This 2.5-storey, three-bay clapboard house has a curved wall extending two full storeys on the facade. A one-storey frame open verandah spreads over three quarter’s tile width of the facade curving as it meets the southwest corner of the curved wall. The shed roof of the verandah and the small pediment above the stairs are supported by plain columns. Situated immediately above the verandah is a very small, recessed balcony, which is accessible through a second storey door.

The combination hip and pyramidal shaped roof has a variety of projections. On the front, a gable projection faced with clapboard curtains three small windows providing light, to the upper 1.5 storeys. An additional gable with a small window is situated on the north side of the roof.

The main entrance doorway, central to the facade, is slightly recessed. The single leafed door has a flat stained-glass transom trimming the inside head. Stained glass is also found in the two large picture windows on either side of the main door.

Address: 144 Maria Street

Designation Date: Oct. 31, 1988

This Tudor home Constructed for Dr. Carruthers in 1934, is Sarnia’s finest example of an Elizabethan Manor. The lower storey of the front facade is constructed of cut stone with a hammered finish which is interspersed with red brick. The second storey is constructed of vertical wood beams and stucco, creating the traditional Tudor half-timbered veneer. Decorative wood trim with brackets separates the first and second floors.

Address: 303 Brock Street North

Designation Date: Oct. 31, 1988

The building has a steep gable roofed dormer window which projects from the centre of the roof. The high-hip slate roof and steep gables are an uncommon feature in this area.

The traditional Victorian windows have stone lintels as well as stone sills. The variation of roof heights and projections are characteristic of Victorian architecture. The entrance doorway and the front bay window are projected by a large flat roofed verandah. Located in the rear yard of this property is a 1.5-storey brick carriage bouse with two dormer windows. The roof, dormers, gable ends, and the exposed projected rafters are architecturally significant.

The house at 303 Brock Street, Sarnia was owned in 1895 by the James McKellar family, a prosperous Moore Township farmer. The home was purchased for the children of James McKellar and Mrs. Carter, sister of James McKellar, to live in while attending the City schools. The coach house was a necessity for the children’s parents who arrived in horse and buggy every Sunday to scrutinize the students progress and behaviour.

Between 1916 and 1918 the house was owned by the executors, Mr. James Lockhart and Mr. Scott. In 1918 the home was sold to Mr. John Hayne who was in the grain mill business.

In 1931 the Harold Fuller family purchased the property. In 1944 he was appointed Judge Fuller and the family moved to the Niagara District. He transferred the ownership of the house to his mother who resided on these premises until she died in 1969.

Between 1969 and 1974 the house was owned by various families. In 1974 the property was purchased by its present owners Susanne and Paul Carter.

There is a carriage house at the back of the house which was renovated as a secondary residential dwelling.

Address: 129 Maria Street

Designation Date: June 28, 2010

The Gordon home was built in 1905 by a lawyer named Robert Towers

This two-storey stucco and clapboard house, which was originally given the street address of 290 Vidal Street North, is located within one of Sarnia’s oldest and most exclusive residential neighbourhoods.  The Vidal-Brock Street area is characterized by old stately homes set on large elaborately landscaped lots.  This house and its setting are particularly important in establishing the dominant character of the area.

There are three fireplaces, the clapboard on the lower part of the house and the stucco on the upper part, the front verandah, four dormers, two hip gables on the façade and most of the windows are all original to the house. The architecture of the first and second floors generally maintained their original characteristics, including high baseboards, mouldings and brass light fixtures.

Address: 251 Vidal Street North

Designation Date: March 20, 1989

The large stately home was constructed in the late 1870s for  Michael Fleming, a prominent Sarnia businessman and City Mayor.

The complete exterior of the Second empire style building with the exception of the stone porch and pediment is recommended for designation for architectural and historical reasons.

Empire Style of architecture with a bell-cast mansard roof. The following features are characteristic of the second Empire style period: mansard roof; two, three-storey bay windows; projecting gables; semi-circular windows located on the third floor; carved arches; elaborate roof trim; large decorative carved double doors; front entrance; and steps.

The property is enclosed with an iron gate and fence set atop a low stone wall.

Address: 328 Brock Street North

Designation Date: May 15, 1989

This cottage-style home is in good shape, has its original outer covering and boasts well-maintained ground and garden.

Address: 761 London Road

Designation Date: May 29, 2989

This property is recommended for designation for historical and architectural reasons. The exterior of the yellow brick home is typical of an Ontario gentleman farmer’s home with the influence of a Georgian style. The two chimneys, windows, stone sills and window decorations are representative of the early Confederation style. The home was constructed in approximately 1890 and was built by l.ir. John Goodison Sr. and may have been occupied for a period by Mr. John Goodison Jr. the grandson of the founder of the Goodison Thresher Company. The property was used as the Goodison Show Farm to display Goodison Thresher Company machinery, which was a very successful business. rt was a popular place for farmers for many years. The manufacturing company was located at the block bounded by London Road, Mitton, Maria and Essex Streets in Sarnia.

Address: 321 Vidal Street South

Designation Date: May 16, 1994

Address: Front Street at Ferry Dock Hill

Designation Date: May 16, 1994

One of the only remaining original streetlamps erected in Downtown Sarnia.

This Lamp Post was constructed as a tapered, fluted cast-iron column mounted in a flared cast-iron base, topped with a decorated iron casting from which two curved conduits extend out and downward to support two cast iron, pendant type light, fixtures with ten-inch acorn-shaped glass refractors. The conduits are “braced” with elaborately curved cast iron brackets.

Address: Devine Street, north side, west of Christina Street

Designation Date: July 25, 1994

In 1932, Central United Church erected a granite Cairn at the western end of

Devine Street, to mark the location of the first church /school / mission in Lambton County. The City designated the site as a Heritage Site by By-law No. 111 of 1994, in recognition of its heritage significance.

Central United Church restored the cairn in 2021 as a legacy project, at its own expense, following the closure of the church which is located at the northeast corner of George and Brock Streets on November 15, 2020, after 188 years.

Address: 245 Cromwell Street

Designation Date: November 4, 1996

The front facade of this dwelling is a good example of Canadian Vernacular Architecture. The circular verandah at the front of the dwelling is an original example of Victorian detailing. The upper gable displays scallop cedar shingles, and the facade is constructed of local yellow clay brick. The mantle piece and the cast brass fireplace within the dwelling are original and worthy of designation. Research has traced the dwelling to the late 1890’s. The dwelling was used as the manse for the Central Baptist Church from 1912 to 1957. It is believed that the home may have been constructed for George Durand a former City Mayor.

Address: 197 Maria Street

Designation Date: February 3, 1997

The dwelling is a good example of a clapboard construction, which has Greek revival influences. Further, the pine front door is original and the 72-pane window on the east side of the dwelling is unique. The dwelling has historical significance as it was constructed by George Proctor, a former city mayor and was the home of the Rennie family, for three generations. David Rennie was President of the King Milling Company, and his son John became Vice-President. Research traces the dwelling to 1884.

Address: 286 Front Street North

Designation Date: September 14, 1998

These World War I Plaques denote those individuals who served our County in World War I and is an important part of the City’s History as well as Canadian History. We are forever in their debt.

Address: 329 MacKenzie Street North

Designation Date: September 14, 1998

The stained-glass windows on the dwelling are designated as they have been found to be unique in number and enhance the exterior facades of this dwelling which was constructed in 1910.

Address: 180 College Street North (Lochiel Kiwanis Centre)

Designation Date: September 28, 1998

This bell is the only remaining relic of the George Street School (the last of our original schools) which was constructed in 1878 and demolished in 1938. It was the oldest school in Sarnia until its demolition in 1938 when it was deemed too expensive to repair.

Following the decision to demolish the George Street School, the Management Committee of the School Board deemed the bell to be of historical significance and decided that it should be saved. The bell was placed on a stone cairn and placed inside the school yard adjacent to George Street. A time capsule was placed in the base. It was originally protected by a 42-inch-high fence. In 1953, after tornado damage, the bell was placed on a new base and moved to the east end of the school grounds, where it sits today.

During the move, the time capsule inside the base was opened and copies of some of the original contents were kept for display at the Lambton Heritage Museum while others can be viewed inside the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre. The original contents, along with new ones, were buried inside the new cairn. The bell received its heritage designation in 1998.

Address: 124 Christina Street South

Designation Date: January 24, 2000

In 1902, a contingent of veterans of the Boer War came to Sarnia, from Windsor, Ontario, with the express purpose of seeking a monument, in the form of a drinking fountain erected in Sarnia, to commemorate those men from Lambton County who served in the Boer War (1899-1902). The Boer War Memorial Fountain was erected in Victoria Park in 1908, having been made possible through the donations by school children and citizens of Lambton County over a six-year period. The name of each man who served in the Boer War from Lambton County is engraved in the cap of the monument, along with the South African locations where they served. The caption on

the face of the cap reads “erected by the school children and citizens of Lambton County”. The fountain has stood for 90 years in commemoration of those who served in the Boer War and should be dedicated as a historically significant site.

Address: 160, 168 Christina Street North

Designation Date: January 10, 2000

The Imperial Oil Centre for the Performing Arts building (formerly known as the Capital Theatre) was designed and built by Mandel Sprachman in 1936. The architectural style is described as “art deco or moderne” and is one of the only remaining buildings of this style of architecture in Sarnia. Members of Sarnia Heritage Committee are of the opinion that specific art deco features of the building that include the Christina Street facade, the Foyer, the sealing cove, cornice, hanging structure and metal dome adjacent to the stage and used for lighting and the ceiling of the auditorium are worthy of preservation by designating them as heritage features. By designating only these features of the building, the owners of the building would not have to seek the City’s approval (through the Sarnia Heritage Committee) for renovations to the building that does not include the features.

Address: 180 College Street North

Designation Date: February 21, 2000

The Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre building (a City owned building) is one of the oldest school buildings in our community. The site was home to three schools – the old Lochiel Street School built in 1872 and demolished in 1924, George Street School, also known as The Model School, built in 1878 and demolished in 1937 (steel amalgam bell remains on the site and has its own heritage designation), and Lochiel Street School, built in 1916 and known as the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre.

The property was designated on February 21st, 2000, by By-Law # 31 of 2000 as being worthy of heritage preservation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O, 1990, c.O.18. Elements of the building that are worthy of preservation as identified in the by-law include:

1. the curved exterior windows on the north side of the building;
2. the cornice and dentil work around the exterior top of the building; and
3. the brick and stonework around the bottom exterior portion of the building.

This approach was taken so that future renovations to those elements of the building that are not identified in the designation description, could proceed without the City’s or the Heritage Committee’s approval.

Address: 231 College Avenue North

Designation Date: April 17, 2000

College Park was willed to the Sarnia and District Horticultural Society in 1947, by Mrs. Maude Hanna who died in 1946. Sarnia and District Horticultural Society which was formed in 1920, used the site as a horticultural garden since 1927.  The site once housed a 14 ft. X 26 ft. green house from which plants and flowers were grown to landscape the grounds of Sarnia’s two hospitals at the time – Sarnia General and St. Joseph’s. The Horticultural Society created and implemented a master plan which refurbish the historic garden to what it is today. Additional partners in the development project include Lambton Herb Society, Master Gardeners of Sarnia-Lambton, and the Urban Wildlife Committee.

Address: Canatara Park, Christina Street entrance

Designation Date: October 10, 2000

On July 1st, 1927, the Pro Patria chapter of the IODE (Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire) ceremoniously presented the City of Sarnia with the gates to the City. The two stone monuments were erected at the intersection of London Road and Mitton Street, which was then the easterly boundary of the City, in honour of Canada’s 60th birthday.

Each of the two pillars which were built by Thomas Grace (a local contractor) are made with cut stone, with 4 feet square bases and heights of 10 feet, with lights at the top of each pillar. Financing for the project came from the IODE reserve and a $10 donation from each of the chapter’s members. The stone used in the construction of the pillars was supplies by the Central Canada Stone Company of Point Edward with the McMillan Granite Works of Sarnia completing the granite panels and inscriptions.

For years the gates marked the eastern boundary of the municipality but in 1951, annexation moved the boundary to Murphy Road. The following year (1952) the city fathers elected to move the pillars to the new entrance to Canatara Park where they stand today.

In 1995, the St. Clair Chapter of the IODE celebrated its 85th anniversary and its stature as the City’s oldest chapter. As part of this celebration the gates were rededicated as the IODE gates.

The pillars were designated as being of heritage significance on October 10, 2000.

Address: 1016 Colborne Road

Designation Date: April 5, 2004

The Lakeview Cemetery Mausoleum was built by D. W. Mitchell Construction Company in 1921. The building is in a Greek Revival style and is constructed of reinforced concrete with the exterior faced with stone and the interior with marble. There are three stained glass windows – two matching on the north and south walls, and one on the east side of the building. This is the only cemetery mausoleum in the Sarnia area and one of the few remaining Greek Revival style buildings remaining in Sarnia.

Address: 1830 Blackwell Road

Designation Date: June 25, 2007

This small, one-room church building was erected in 1880 as Blackwell Methodist Church with the old cemetery surrounding the building on three sides. The church was central to the rural Blackwell community, and it served as a community post office, a school, a store, and a railway stop. The church was both a social and religious gathering place.

The yellow brick used in the construction of the building was made by the local Telfer Brickyard.

Following the construction of the new church on the opposite side of the road in 1955, this building ceased to be used as a church, but was used for some time as a meeting place by the local Boy Scout troop. The interior furnishings (pews, altar, etc.) have all been removed. However, the basic structure is in exceptionally sound condition. It has been suggested that it could possibly be used as a wedding chapel.

This small country church is typical of those built in Ontario in the 1800’s and is designated as being of cultural and historical value and interest.

Address: 115 Christina Street

Designation Date: June 28, 2010

The building located at 115 Christina Street South is a two and a half storey triple brick home with a large tower projecting from the southeast comer of the facade. The tower is three stories high, ending with a bell-shaped roof. On the third storey of the tower is a band shell verandah. This house is an excellent example of the high Queen Ann Victorian style of architecture in the City.

The house, which is historically known as “The Loughead House”, was built in the late 1800’s by the Doherty Family who operated a stove factory in the City. The family lived in this home for a short time and then sold it to Henry Loughead, a resident of Samia, whose family had originated from Scotland. Mr. Loughead was awarded a flag for producing the finest ammunition during both the First and Second World Wars.

The exterior of this building is designated as being of Cultural Heritage value and interest.

Address: 197 London Road

Designation Date: October 28, 2013

This property known locally as the ‘Mulberry House’ and the ‘Saddy House’, is a 1 1/4 storey yellow brick detached home located on the south-west corner of London Road & Brock Street. The dwelling is believed to have been built in 1867 by Alexander Mackenzie (Canada’s second Prime Minister) for a local tombstone maker, James Roger, with locally fired clay bricks. The home remained in the Rogers’ family for close to a century until, in 1960, Mayor Marcel Saddy bought it for his home. On his death in1988, Marcel left the house to the Sarnia Community Foundation who used it for offices until it was sold by the foundation to a private citizen, who again used the structure as a private residence for several years.

This home is a blend of Gothic revival and Georgian architecture. The gabled roof, with its wood molded fascia and friezes, has been maintained in excellent condition and is a representative example of the surrounding neighbourhood’s character homes.

The solid foundation was constructed of local fieldstone. A broken pediment overhangs the frontispiece front entrance with unique sidelights on either side of the door. Stone carvings in the walls on either side of the door were carved by local stonemasons. A back staircase leads to the second for bedrooms. The second floor double hung windows have shaped transoms of louvered wood, except for the semi-circular glass top pane over the front door.

Little has changed in the home over the years, but it has been kept up to date as a practical/functional family home with indoor plumbing and a small rear addition constructed in 1910 to provide a better entrance and more kitchen space. The kitchen windowsill is constructed of stone and has been used to sharpen knives for the past century and a half. Architectural details identified for preservation (and not necessarily confided to), include the following:
– Pine panelled doors with white porcelain knobs and 4-inch lock casings;
– Nine (9) foot main floor ceilings;
– Seven (7) inch pine boards on the main floor;
– Exposed brick and beams in the kitchen;
– Three (3) fireplaces;
– Painted panelled foyer with dentil detail
Painted panelled pine wainscot in the dining room;
– Spiral staircase to the second floor notched into a 14 foot pine lodge pole; and
– A stone workbench in the cellar

Address: 112 Maria Street

Designation Date: October 24, 2016

This little cottage built in 1844 is commonly referred to as the Skilbeck Cottage. It was built by Mr. Robert Skilbeck, one of Sarnia’s first businessmen, who came to Canada in 1830 and worked as a bookkeeper. The Cottage is one of the oldest existing structures in Sarnia.

In the back room of this brick cottage, in 1847, Sarnia’s first money-lending institution came into being. Mr. Skilbeck formed a syndicate with a number of merchants of the village. Skilbeck and his associates took care of any excess money which people had. Since there wasn’t a bank in Sarnia until 1852, Mr. Skilbeck used a portion of his home to conduct his business. Business began to increase, and prospects were so good that in 1847 a larger company was incorporated as “The Building and Investment Company”, the oldest Trust company in Canada, which was later known as Lambton Loan and Investment Company.

From 1880-1900 the company finally matured to one of the leading loan corporations in the province. Through the company’s home financing and its saving facilities, the company played an important part in the industrial development of Lambton County.

The Skilbeck cottage is not only one of the oldest structures in the city, but also provides Sarnia with a link to the City’s early years of growth and development.

The significance of this house lies both in its architectural merits as well as its historical significance. This small 1½ storey brick cottage is a unique variation of the typical Ontario Regency Cottage in the City. It portrays a bastardized version of the typical Ontario Regency Cottage, making it a rare type of architecture in the City. The essence of the Regency Cottage design is its low mass, square plan and hipped roof. This cottage does have a low mass and a square plan; however, the roof is no longer a hipped one but rather a gabled roof. This change in the roof style changes the overall style of the house, making it a unique house in Sarnia. Another unique feature of the cottage is the balanced façade which is so typical of the Georgian style of architecture.

It also has a combination of red and white brick, which displays good workmanship and originality setting it apart from other Regency Cottages in the City. White bricks also form an arch over the front door and extend down over the sides. The large door centered on the façade is surrounded by glass. A flat transom with 3 glass panes trims the head. Small glass panes also trim both sides of the door.

The medium gable roof has three evenly spaced gable dormers with returning eaves. The two large windows located on either side of the door are trimmed with white bricks in the same manner as the door.

Address: 191 Brock Street South
Designation Date: November 20, 2017

This house, which was built in 1883, remains unaltered from its original construction and it retains its original character and design materials. Special attention was made to the detail seen in the decorative wood in the right gable end, the wood brackets under the roof of the right bay window, the brick label shaped voussoir head trim and the smaller façade gable with the door in it.

The building is a two-storey yellow brick Victorian Revival style house has a high gable roof with one large projecting gable on the right of the façade and one small gable offset to the left. The exterior wall material used is yellow brick laid in a stretcher bond with brick foundation is fully below ground.

Address: 378 East Street North

Designation Date: July 8, 2024

The Froome Talfourd cottage is not only one of the oldest structures in the city, but also one of the first cottages to be moved (twice) intact to new locations in the city and is still being used as a residential dwelling. It also provides Sarnia with a link to the City’s early years of growth and development.

Froome Talfourd bought a lot on Front Street from Captain R. E. Vidal in 1885 and built the cottage with its front entrance facing eastward, where Front Street connects to Christina St., via a laneway called “Russell Lane”. The cottage was first moved in 1875 (when it was owned by James King) from its original location to another location on the same lot to accommodate the northward extension of Front Street. This move resulted in the front entrance of the cottage being turned to face westward towards the Front Street extension. It was again moved in 1945 from Front Street to its present location at 378 East Street North.

Froome Talfourd lived in Sarnia from 1855 to 1868, following which he returned to England. Talfourd Street is named after him