Barbara Raue

St. Marys Ontario Book 1 in Colour Photos Barbara Raue

St. Marys is a town in southwestern Ontario located southwest of Stratford at the junction of the Thames River and Trout Creek. The north branch of the Thames River flows through St. Marys and is the heart of the town. St. Marys' early economic success depended on the mills, powered by the water in this river. The town's prosperity was also helped by the presence of accessible limestone, taken in blocks from the riverbed and from quarries along the riverbanks. The name "Stonetown" is an apt moniker for St. Marys, as the town is filled with unique architecture featuring locally-quarried limestone. The stone buildings reveal much about the town's history, and the development of the town can be witnessed in the architecture. 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 build Cadzow Pool. Lind Park now contains a statue of Arthur Meighen, Canada's ninth prime minister.