One of the prettiest towns in Ontario, St. Marys boasts many historic stone houses, as well as an Opera House (1880); a Town Hall (1891) and a Carnegie Library (1904), all made of limestone. The slogan of the town is: Carved in Stone...Etched in History.
Thomas Ingersoll
In 1840 a man named Thomas Ingersoll bought 700 acres of land from the Canada Company, and formed a settlement which is now St. Marys. The town has a population of approximately 7500 people, and is home to several schools, churches, a modern hospital and a new Recreation Center.
Thomas Alva Edison
According to local lore, Thomas Edison once worked the night shift at the Grand Trunk Railway station in St.Marys. The great inventor had a less than auspicious career in the stonetown, which was on the main line between Montreal, Quebec, and Sarnia, Ontario. The teenaged telegraph operator had been hired in 1863 to work a twelve-hour night shift at the nearby Stratford Junction, which garnered him the princely sum of $25 per month. For this he was to send and receive telegraph messages, dispatch trains and set railroad schedules.
Edison also worked relief shifts at the St.Marys station and on one occasion he apparently slept through an incoming emergency message telling him that two trains were about to collide. Luckily for all concerned, the two engineers saw that they were going to crash and averted disaster ...just in time. Called to the head office in Toronto, Edison saw the writing on the wall and instead hopped a train to Sarnia and crossed over to the United States. The limestone station still stands, unused, in northwest St.Marys.
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
A favorite tourist attraction is the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where inductions are held each June. The museum originated in Toronto, but was moved to St.Marys in 1994 and opened in 1998. Many visitors come from far and wide to the ceremonies. Call 519-284-1838 for further information.
Prime Minister Arthur Meighen
A native of Anderson, Ontario , near St.Marys, Arthur Meighen was Prime Minister of Canada from 1920 to 1921 and again in 1926.He died in Toronto in 1960 and he was buried in the cemetery in St.Marys. A statue of Meighen stands in Lind Park in St.Marys.
Stonetown Heritage Weekend
Each year, during the weekend after the long July holiday weekend, St .Marys plays host to the Heritage Festival Weekend, when all the merchants have sales and the town takes on a tone of excitement and fun. There are street vendors of hot dogs and french fries, dragon boat races, street dances and all manner of things to enjoy. Genial Mayor Jamie Hahn is always on hand for the festivities in St.Marys and will most probably welcome you personally. There are stone buildings to tour and every store offers specials. A great way to while away a lazy summer afternoon! Come to St. Marys and pay a visit to Ontario's Stonetown...you will not regret it!
Source
St.Marys Visitor's Brochure
Claim to Fame by Gordon Strathdee
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