Historic Thom Block Given New Lease On Life As Gallery Lambton

The historic Thom Block on the southwest corner of Christina and Lochiel streets, better known as the "Saks" building, has been a landmark downtown since its erection in 1893 by Major John Strathearn Thom, a local photographer and artist.  Thom's studio was on the upper floor while he rented the main floor as retail space.  Over the years it has been occupied by the Dominion Bank, Manley's, Knowles Shoes, Saks and a flea-market among others.  For the past 25+ years the building sat empty and neglected and was set for demolition a couple of times over the years.  Luckily for Sarnia, demolition was avoided and early this year plans were announced to incorporate the all new Gallery Lambton into the shell of the Thom Block.  Concern was raised regarding the beautiful antique staircase until assurance was given to save the staircase and incorporate it into the design.  Everything but the east and north facades has been removed and soon the new steel structure will be erected.  We are hoping that all goes according to plan as the new gallery must be completed by next spring to receive the federal monies available.  Below are photos from my collection and photos I've taken of the work in progress.

 From the collection of John Rochon

 From the collection of John Rochon

 Sarnia Observer 12 January 1977 p1

 Photo by John Rochon 1984

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

Photo by John Rochon 2010

ENDANGERED - 345 Christina Street North

This unassuming 19th-century house has been occupied for many years by a lawyers office.  In 1900 it was the residence of James Spearman, 1st Chairman of the new Sarnia Public Library Board.  His daughter Patricia, would go on to become the first Children's Librarian in Ontario.  A demolition permit has been granted for this property and my requests to make a photo record of the interior have so far fallen on deaf ears.  I will continue to try to gain admittance, so we can at least have a complete photographic record of the property.

Photo by John Rochon

Chief Wawanosh House Razed

The very aged frame house at 170 Christina Street South, believed by some to have been the residence of Chief Wawanosh, has been pulled down.  Repeated requests on my part to get permission to photograph the interior before demolition fell on deaf ears and as a consequence we now have a photo record of the exterior only.  Below are photos that I have taken of the house.

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Photo by John Rochon

Last House on Front Street

The aged brick house at 158 Front Street South, the last remaining house on Front St., is due for demolition by the owners for parking space.  This very solid building, which has stood there since c.1875 has been empty for some time, although it looks as if recent attempts to renovate it were halted once the decision was made to pull it down.  The Sarnia Heritage Committee put forth the suggestion that the house be renovated to serve as a hostel for out-of-town family members visiting relatives at the Residence on the St. Clair, which is immediately south.  Unfortunately, this suggestion was rejected, and demolition of the house could begin at any time.  I am hoping that the owners will change their minds.  They were kind enough to allow myself and a friend to go through the house to document it photographically and also allowed us to take old architectural files that had been stored in the attic of the house.  Below are some of the photos I took while going through the house.

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

 Photo by John Rochon 2010

Photo by John Rochon 2010

Looking Into The Past - Old and New Views of Sarnia - Combined

I got my inspiration to make these images from the Flickr.com group Looking Into The Past.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them!

Copyright 2010 John Rochon

.Looking up Ferry Dock Hill from the waterfront, one can almost imagine all the grand buildings that once stood there.

Copyright 2010 John Rochon.

If one stares at the southeast corner of Front and Cromwell Sts. long enough, one can almost see the old Vendome Hotel in all her glory.

Copyright 2010 John Rochon.

Looking at the beautiful facade of the former Lochiel Street School, now the Kiwanis Centre, one wonders why they didn't add the gymnasium onto the back of the school.

Copyright 2010 John Rochon.

Looking west down Lochiel St. from Christina St., c1910 and 2010.

Do You Know These People??

These are photos taken in Sarnia sometime in the 1940's I would think, that I found at a London, ON. antiques mall.  I have no idea who these people are and am hoping someone will recognize them.

Fire Chief - Sarnia or Forest??

Collection of John Rochon.

I just found this photo in a box yesterday - I had forgotten that I even had it!  And what a shame, it's such a wonderful portrait.  It was taken by photographer T.A. Cairns of Sarnia and Forest, ON., so I presume that the chief is from either one or the other town - but which one?  I'll delve into this further and post the results.

UPDATE:
I went to the library today and looked in their copy of the Sarnia Old Home Week book of 1925 and found a couple of old photos of the Sarnia Fire Dept.  The photos weren't very good, so the result was inconclusive however, I then looked in the index to the Holland-Paisley Historical Photograph Collection and found a couple of photos of Sarnia Fire Chief Joseph Breakey, and I am now confident that the gentleman pictured above is none other than Chief Breakey.  He was born near Peterborough, ON on Jan. 18, 1859 and came to Lambton county with his family in 1866.  He moved to Sarnia in 1892 and was hired on as the driver for the fire department, a job that he held until 1912, when he was made Chief.  He held this post until his sudden death of Angina Pectoris, at the age of 59 yrs. 11 mos. and 11 days, on Dec. 29, 1918.  He was held in high esteem by all who knew him and especially by the men of his department.