Port Lambton, Ontario

Port Lambton in Ontario

Port Lambton is a village situated on the St. Clair River, in southwestern Ontario, Canada within the municipality of St. Clair Township. According to the latest census, 1084 people live within this Lambton County, Ontario community. In its early days, the village developed out of local transport and agricultural trade via rail and ship and evolved mainly into a summer resort community, serving seasonal residences and summer cottagers through much of its history. The village is now home to mostly permanent residences and commuters supported by larger cities and towns such as Sarnia and Wallaceburg. Every Civic Holiday weekend in August the town hosts its annual Gala Days. This community is served by two elementary schools, several churches and a small service industry. The public school is Riverview Central School and the Catholic school is Sacred Heart. Until the mid-1980s Port Lambton served as a registered port of entry into Canada by means of a ferry crossing from nearby Roberts Landing, Michigan and docking facilities on much of the villages waterfront. Following the ending of ferry operations at Port Lambton, the former port facility and Customs office located at the foot of Stoddard Street on the St. Clair River was transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The federal government through the Canadian Coast Guard continues to operate the facility as a seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat Station.

History

View of St. Clair River from Port Lambton

The village of Port Lambton has its roots in the settlement of Baby's Point. Located just south of the village of Port Lambton, on the area that is now Brander Park, Baby's Point is the extreme southern point of Lambton County. Francis Baby owned all the land from this point, and all of Port Lambton site. Inherited from his grandfather in 1742. There also was a brother, James Baby. Edward Kelly was the first postmaster at Baby's Point 1848.

After 1812, people started to settle along the St. Clair River. Before few people lived there. They were French, and didn't have legal title to the land. When the Irish moved in, the French sold their squatters rights to the Irish in about 1833. The Natives could sell land only with the approval of the Province. Anyhow, soon after 1812, people bought up land legally along the St. Clair River.

Port Lambton Park

Port Lambton—liveliest little river-town South of Sarnia. Two of each, sawmills, grist mills, shoe shops, blacksmith shops. Eight general stores, 3 hotels, 3 liveries, 2 telegraph offices. Daily mail from Sarnia, daily railway service. School with two teachers. Steamers stopped every day at the White Star line dock, during the summer months. Customs House. Docks extends one-quarter mile along the river. Population 450. In the spring of 1820, Duncan McDonald built the first frame house. Post office opened in 1871, one time known as Lambton Village. Rural mail was first delivered in 1908, and all mail routes completed in January 1909.

The first Sacred Heart Church was built at Baby's Point around 1825. It burned. Father Monocq, secular priest, French, was drowned January 12, 1861, and the body was found in 1862. He was buried beneath the altar of the first Port Lambton Church. The plaque was on the right-hand of the side altar. The Sacred Heart Church, Port Lambton, was built in 1877. Martin Regan was the first person baptised there, December 1877. It was demolished, and the new church built on the same site in 1964. The R.C. Cemetery started in 1916. Sombra t. John's Church was built in 1868, and Father Waters was one of the first priests, he resided in Corunnna, Ontario. R.C. Cemetery started in 1870.

Events

Gala Days: A weekend of festivities including a parade, sport tournaments, music, and family events takes place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Civic Holiday Weekend which occurs in the range of July 29 to August 6 depending on the year in which it falls. Inquiries at Gala Days, P.O.Box 89, Port Lambton, ON N0P2B0.

St. Clair River Run: A 10K run and 5K walk/run that takes place each July.

Notable people

• Maude Menten, pioneering female chemist notable for the Michaelis-Menten equation. Menton is honoured with a historical plaque at Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario.^[1]

References

Coordinates: 42°39′25″N 82°30′15″W / 42.65694°N 82.50417°W / 42.65694; -82.50417