Lambton County Archives

09/02/2026

For today’s we explore back to school… 1900s style!

As students across Lambton County get ready to head back to the classroom, it's fun to imagine what the first day of school looked like more than 100 years ago.

In the late 1800s to the early 1900s, many children attended one-room schoolhouses scattered throughout the county. Students of all ages learned together in a single classroom with one teacher responsible for every subject and grade. The school day often began with reading, writing, and arithmetic, using slates and chalk instead of notebooks and tablets.

Getting to school wasn't always easy. Many children walked several kilometres, no matter the weather, and their attendance often depended on the demands of family farms. During busy planting and harvest seasons, helping at home sometimes took priority over lessons.

Schoolhouses were heated by a wood stove, water came from a nearby well, and lunch was usually packed from home. Despite the challenges, these schools became the heart of many rural communities, hosting meetings, celebrations, and social gatherings long after the final bell.

As another school year begins, we love taking a look back at the classrooms and the teachers that helped educate generations of Lambton County residents.

09/01/2026

As summer break draws to a close, sadly so does the excellent work our summer students, Ivy and Lena. Over the last sixteen weeks they have both been hard at work researching and cataloguing our collection, and adding in an interesting story or two to share with you all on social media.

We will miss the helping hands and wish them both a bright and prosperous school year!

08/31/2026

08/29/2026

The people of Lambton’s past have shaped the community we know today, often in quiet, meaningful ways that ripple across generations. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one of those people: Pauline McGibbon; a Sarnia girl who was a woman of many firsts.

Pauline Emily Mills was born on October 20, 1910, at 4:00 p.m. at Sarnia General Hospital. She was the only child of Alfred “Fred” William (1873-1938) and Ethel Selina (French) Mills (1886 - 1968).

The Mills family were prominent merchants with Pauline's father and uncle, Edgar, owning Mills Bros. in Sarnia.

Both Pauline Mills and Donald Walker McGibbon attended Lochiel Street School as a children and Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School as teens. They also both went on to attend Victoria University in Toronto.

Donald was born on January 13, 1910, at 6:30 a.m. in Sarnia. He was the son of Donald and Margaret (Collier) McGibbon. Donald Sr. worked at the Liquor Store in Sarnia and was behind the counter the day the notorious Red Ryan entered the store to rob it.

On January 26, 1935 Pauline and Donald were married. The two did not have any children.

Pauline Mills McGibbon was a woman of many firsts:
- She was the first female Lieutenant- Governor of Ontario.
- The first woman to hold a Vice-Regal Position in the Commonwealth.
- The first woman to serve as director of four major Canadian corporations including IBM Canada, George Weston Ltd, Imasco Ltd. and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
- The first female Chancellor of the University of Toronto from 1971 to 1974. From 1977 to 1983 she was the Chancellor at the University of Guelph.
- The first female member of the venerable Canadian Club.

Pauline passed away on December 14, 2001, in Toronto and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Sarnia with her husband Donald who predeceased her on January 30, 1996.

Do you have any memories or stories about Pauline McGibbon? Please share in the comments below.

Want to read more? Check out the links below:
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08/28/2026

For today's , nothing says summer in Lambton County quite like an ice cream cone on a warm August afternoon!

For generations, local residents have marked the arrival of summer with a trip for a cool treat. Whether enjoyed after a day at the beach, following a ball game, during a family road trip, or while strolling through town, ice cream has long been one of summer's sweetest traditions.

Historic photographs in the Lambton County Archives capture families gathering at local ice cream shops, drive-ins, and roadside stands, creating memories that have lasted a lifetime.

From hand-dipped cones and sundaes to milkshakes and floats, these simple treats brought people together and offered a welcome break from the summer heat.

While flavours and favourite spots may have changed over the years, the joy of sharing an ice cream with family and friends remains a cherished part of summer in Lambton County.

What's your favourite ice cream spot in Lambton County (past or present)? Do you have a go to flavour? Let us know in the comments!

08/27/2026

Check out this week's 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.

Can you identify any of these smiling Sarnia spokespeople? If so, let us know in the comments below!

08/26/2026

Did you know, one of Ontario's most famous ghost stories happened near Lambton County? 👻

This photo shows the home of John T. McDonald located in a small community in Chatham-Kent called Baldoon. The community was established in the early 1800s by Scottish settlers, and despite facing many harsh conditions, some settlers chose to stay in the area, including McDonald and his family.

The mystery began in 1829 when beams from the roof of the barn fell with no warning, causing the workers to run for cover. Over the following years, many unexplained paranormal events were reported at the McDonald's home, including the sounds of an army marching through the kitchen, dozens of mysterious fires, and rocks and bullets being launched towards the house.

These strange occurrences became known as the Baldoon Mystery, which still remains as an intriguing story 200 years later!

08/21/2026

10 years ago strong winds pushed approximately 1,500 Port Huron Float participants to the Canadian side of the St. Clair River where rescue operations by Sarnia-Lambton responders, along with the RCMP, Red Cross, and Canadian Coast Guard took place.

The float down is a summer tradition that goes back several decades. The weather conditions in 2016 were almost a worst case scenario, minus thunder and lightning.

Winds were strong enough that once participants were blown off course, they were unable to paddle themselves back. Only minor injuries were reported, with successful operations by both Canadian and U.S officials ensuring everyone made it back home safely.

Do you remember the 2016 float down disaster? Drop your memories in the comments below!

08/20/2026

Check out this week's 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.

Can you identify these beach goers in the photo? If so, let us know in the comments below!

08/18/2026

Back-to-school season always brings a sense of excitement! From picking out a new backpack and school clothes to finding the perfect pair of shoes for the first day of class. For generations of Lambton families, those annual shopping trips often started with a visit to Lambton Mall where preparing for a new school year became a cherished tradition.

When this , Lambton Mall, opened its doors in 1971, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in shopping for Lambton County. Located on London Road, the modern enclosed shopping centre quickly became a destination for families from across the county, offering the convenience of dozens of stores all under one roof.

The original mall featured anchor tenants like Woolco, along with a variety of specialty shops that introduced a new style of retail experience to the community. As Sarnia continued to grow through the 1970s and beyond, so did Lambton Mall, with several expansions bringing new retailers, restaurants, and entertainment options.

For many residents, Lambton Mall became much more than a place to shop. It was where teenagers met up with friends after school, families visited during holiday shopping trips, children lined up to see Santa, and countless community events brought people together.

As another school year approached each fall, many families made their annual back-to-school shopping trip to the mall, creating memories alongside the excitement of a fresh start. Whether you stopped for an ice cream, browsed the latest fashions, or simply enjoyed walking through the mall, it became a familiar gathering place and an important part of everyday life in Lambton County.

Over the decades, the mall has evolved alongside changing shopping habits. Stores such as Woolco, Walmart, Sears, and many beloved local retailers have come and gone, while new businesses have continued to reshape the space for each new generation of shoppers. Despite these changes, Lambton Mall remains Sarnia-Lambton's primary enclosed shopping centre, serving residents and visitors more than 50 years after it first opened.

Do you remember your back-to-school shopping trips to Lambton Mall? Or maybe your very first visit? We'd love to hear your stories, favourite stores, and memories in the comments below!