Petrolia - Canada's Victorian Oil Town

Forest Ontario
Forest is situated on what was once dense forest. When the Grand Trunk Railway was built through where the town now sits, the station was named for the dense forest. Hickory Creek, which meanders through the town, provided water for the station in those days when wood and water were essential to the operation of steam locomotives.

The first post office, in 1859, was then named Forest. The site was very near the junction of three township boundaries, with parts of Warwick, Plympton and Bosanquet townships all annexed into the town. None of these townships remain as political units due to amalgamation, with Bosanquet joining Forest in forming Lambton Shores (along with the villages of Arkona and Grand Bend).

The industry of the town was initially tied to the abundant fruit growing operation ... there was once a canning factory and a basket factory in Forest. In more recent years the town has become a dormitory community for the city of Sarnia (and to a lesser extent London, Ontario). Support to the extensive tourism area along the shores of nearby Lake Huron also supports several businesses. Several small factories supporting the auto industry have also opened in the past few years.

An early Forest fireman ca. 1880s editor's collection	A couple of early Forest shoe sales girls. This photo is by L. Yost of Forest Ontario. Judging by the style of clothes it could be ca. 1890s. editor's collection
ca.1927-8 Forest High School. editor's collection Here are the names for the above pic. Maybe some day I will type them for this spot.	editor's collection
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editor's collection Forest Baseball Team ca.1910s/20s	editor's collection Cottage scene near forest ca.1920s
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	editor's collection A prosperous looking Forest family ca.1880s
editor's collection Bella and Don McRorie
editor's collection Forest Train Station ca.1910	Yet another view of the Forest Station. ca.1907
Disney Delmage, Nice matted cabinet photo likely from the early 1900s, taken by F H Willis, Forest Ontario Canada. The subject is identified on the back as Disney Delmage. We are always glad when we can find information about the subjects of the photos we acquire. In this case, we were able to find a "Robert Disney Roe Delmage" who was the grandson of Matthew Delmage (1790-1845) and Ann Roe (1795-1867). Robert Disney Roe's parents were Jacob Delmage (born in Ireland, 1819-99) and Alecia Jayne Joynt (born New Boyne Ontario 1847-1911) Robert Disney Roe Delmage married (Sarah) Louise Hair and they had five children. Their youngest child appears to have been adopted. Their children were Mary (Dorothy) Delmage (1907-2000, buried St James Cemetery Watford Ontario) who was married to Calvin George Dolbear (1902-1974); Horace Hair; Jessie Louise, and Bobby (Robert) Shooter. It's believed that Bobby Shooter was a "foundling" and later a resident of Dr Barnardo's "Homes" where he would have been a "home" child. The name "Shooter" denotes the street where he was discovered/found. Bobby sailed to Canada from Liverpool on the SS Virginian in 1910 and became a resident of Mr Merry's orphanage in Stratford Ontario where it's possible the Delmages discovered and adopted him.

We are always looking for vintage Petrolia & area pics of anything to buy or borrow for copying. If you have pictures that I can borrow I only need a few minutes to scan them.
Email mdillon16@cogeco.ca