Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Photograph, Black-and-White |
Collection |
Oil Museum of Canada Collection |
Accession number |
OMC 2011.008 |
Catalog Number |
OMC 2011.008.001 |
Studio |
Douglas Paisley Studios Ltd. |
Date |
03 Jul 1959 |
Description |
Black and white photo taken by the Douglas Paisley Studio of John T. Barnes, former mayor of Sarnia, shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth II on July 3, 1959 in a reception line. Current mayor of Sarnia, Iven Walker is seen between them and Prince Phillip is on the right in the image. John Barnes' wife is behind him in the reception line. |
Provenance |
By Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer Sarnians who think there's a shortage of hospital beds in the community can thank their lucky stars that John T. Barnes was elected Mayor in 1940. That's because the community’s 57th Chief Magistrate played a key role in getting St. Joseph’s Hospital built. Born in Oil Springs in 1897, Barnes moved to the City in 1918, finding work with the old Sarnia Bridge Company. He served as an Alderman from 1935 to 1939 before winning the Mayor’s chair with a stunning upset victory over incumbent Norm Perry. Mayor Barnes took the helm just as pressure was mounting to expand an overcrowded Sarnia General Hospital. Council wanted to add a new wing to the General but voters rejected spending any money on the project in a special referendum. Fearing that the Municipality would soon be faced with a severe shortage of beds, Mayor Barnes turned to the Sisters of St. Joseph for help, asking the Order of Catholic nuns to build a new hospital in Sarnia. The Sisters agreed to undertake the task in 1942, during his third and final term. Construction began less than two years later. On the industrial front, Sarnia grew in leaps and bounds during his administration. Indeed, both Polymer Corporation and Dow Canada announced plans to build plants in the Chemical Valley before he left office. He also served for more than 30 years on Sarnia Hydro Commission, playing what fellow Commissioner Paul Blundy would later describe as an "instrumental" role in getting the Lambton Generating Station built near Courtright. In fact, when the plant opened in the late 1960’s, Barnes attended the ceremony as a guest of honor of Premier John Robarts. Besides his political achievements, Barnes was a member of St. Paul’s United Church and an Honorary Chief on the Sarnia Chippewa First Nation. An avid collector of native artifacts, he had many friends on the reserve. The father of two died in St. Joseph’s Hospital on December 22, 1979, at age 83. |
Print Size |
25.3cm x 20.5cm |
Search Terms |
Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II Reception Royal Visit Sarnia |
People |
Barnes, John Barnes, John T. Mrs. Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II Walker, Iven |
Place |
Sarnia, Ontario |