St. Marys Ontario Book 4 in Colour Photos: Saving Our History One Photo at a Time (Cruising Ontario) (Volume 32)

St. Marys, known as Stonetown, is set in a beautiful valley beside the majestic Thames River. It is a town in southwestern Ontario located southwest of Stratford. St. Marys’ early economic success depended on the mills powered by the water in this river. From stunning architecture to picturesque views, St. Marys has a special character all of its own. John Grieve Lind (1867-1947) was closely associated with the start of the St. Mary’s Cement Company. St. Marys was chosen as the location for the plant because of its abundance of limestone, clay and water, it was on two national railway lines, and it had access to hydro-electric power from Niagara Falls. The plant opened in 1912. Once the cement plant was in operation, Lind turned his attention to parks and recreation. He purchased the seven acre Cadzow Park on Church Street South and built Cadzow Pool. Lind Park now contains a statue of Arthur Meighen, Canada’s ninth prime minister.