The Lawrence House Centre For The Arts on Christina Street in Sarnia. June 2018. (Photo from google maps)The Lawrence House Centre For The Arts on Christina Street in Sarnia. June 2018. (Photo from google maps)
Sarnia

Taking a stroll through Sarnia's history

Stories from Sarnia's past will be brought back to life during historical walking tours in the city's downtown.

The second annual event, put on by the city and the Sarnia Heritage Committee, will explore a haunted house, the greatest crime story you've never heard and much more.

Committee Chair Ron Reale-Smith said they brought the tour back for a second year because of the event's immense popularity in 2018.

"What we did last year is a walking tour where we went around and talked about some of the buildings and some of the scenes that were present downtown and some scenes that are still existing. It will be essentially the same tour as last year, but we're going to add a few more buildings and tell a few different stories," said Reale-Smith. "For those that came out, which were many, they were really entertained with the content that we had, and you can expect the same this year as well."

Reale-Smith said summer student Emma Franklin will be conducting the 75-minute tour beginning July 31 at 6:30 p.m., and again on August 1, 9, 14 and 21. They begin at the fountain at city hall at 255 Christina St. N.

"The stories are fascinating and the buildings that are occupied by the store owners today, a lot of them really don't know what was going on there. For example, downtown Sarnia was involved in the liquor-running business when there was prohibition going on in the states," said Reale-Smith. "Downtown Sarnia has so many great stories and this walking tour really gives us an opportunity to share those stories with present-day Sarnia."

The tour is free, but Reale-Smith said donations to the Heritage Committee are much appreciated.

For more information, click here. 

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