Category: Places & Attractions

Spirited Walks in Sparta

6/30/2016

A visit to the quiet village of Sparta can feel like a trip back in time. The lives of many of its inhabitants throughout the 1800s unfolded in buildings which can still be seen today. You can feel a sense of history when you visit the businesses housed in those heritage structures. And you can explore it further by stopping in at the Forge and Anvil Museum or Sparta Church Museum & Cultural Centre or by taking the self-guided Sparta Walking Tour.

War of 1812 Plaques Bring History to Life

6/28/2015

A plaque trail of permanent markers which record local events and people significant to the War of 1812 was unveiled at events hosted by The Elgin County 1812 Committee on Sunday June 28th. The launch event took place at two locations of the nine on the trail - Port Glasgow Memorial Park and St. Stephen's Church Graveyard.

Although the majority of more well-known battles of the War of 1812 took place in other areas, like the Niagara region, there has been an increased recognition that the war also had substantial and long-lasting impacts on the settlers who lived in Southwestern Ontario, including in Elgin County.

The Arts & Cookery Bank Launches "One Hundred Years, One Hundred Families"

12/11/2014

Driving Ontario’s rural back roads, you may have noticed “Century Farm” signs and wondered about the stories of the people who worked and played in these homes and fields through several generations. “One Hundred Years. One Hundred Families” was launched on Thursday at the Arts and Cookery Bank in West Lorne and tells the stories in words and photos, of 100 families from their surrounding community, over the past century.

Prestigious Awards to HMCS Ojibwa & Anniversary of Sub "Landing" in Port Burwell

11/28/2014

Photo Elgin Military Museum

HMCS Ojibwa won the prestigious TIAC Brewster Travel Innovator of the Year Award this past Wednesday evening. The award, for Ojibwa's opening season, was announced at the Travel Industry Association of Canada awards gala in Ottawa.

“This is an incredible finish to a great year,” said Ian Raven, Executive Director of the Museum. “We were honoured to be finalists in the company of such amazing competition. Every one of the four finalists should be on every Canadian’s must see list.”

The PSTR & St. Thomas Railway Corridor

3/1/2014

The Port Stanley Terminal Rail (PSTR) marked their 30th anniversary in 2013 and also brought their train into downtown St. Thomas for the first time. It was another milestone in a long list of PSTR achievements, and one which has them excited about expanding their horizons into the future.

Read about the history of the PSTR and plans for future co-operative ventures with the newly reconstructed L&PS Station in downtown St. Thomas in Relish Elgin Magazine Early Spring 2014

A Week in the Journey of Project Ojibwa

11/25/2012

HMCS Ojibwa started the final leg of her journey to her permanent home in Port Burwell on Sunday November 18th as she made her way from her makeover stop in Hamilton, through the Welland Canal, arriving in Port Burwell on Thursday November 22. Efforts to stabilize the Otter Creek bed for the off-load from the barge have met with some set-backs, but it is hoped that it will take place Sunday morning. Below you will find some photos of the week, mostly by photographer Mark Girdauskas.

On Track St. Thomas Unveils Plans to Develop Kettle Creek Bridge

8/10/2012

Manhattan has the High Line, a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Paris has the Promenade Plantée, an extensive green belt that follows the old Vincennes railway line. Visitors of today are happy to find outdoor beauty, recreation and relaxation on the spaces once reserved for trains.

Members of On Track St. Thomas, a community development organization, believe that the Kettle Creek MCR Bridge could be the foundation for Canada’s first elevated park, and an attraction which would most certainly put St. Thomas on the map.